Ranking

Most Selective Colleges in Alabama by Acceptance Rate 2026

The hardest Alabama colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.

Schools ranked: 25
Cheapest net price: $8,627
Top earnings 10y: $65,337
Public / Private: 13 / 12

University of West Alabama

Livingston, AL · Public

Acceptance: 42.7%
Net price: $12,684
Earnings 10y: $44,232
Acceptance: 42.7%

Oakwood University

Huntsville, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 45.2%
Net price: $25,669
Earnings 10y: $42,488
Acceptance: 45.2%

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

Acceptance: 45.9%
Net price: $24,323
Earnings 10y: $65,337
Acceptance: 45.9%

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 48.7%
Net price: $35,013
Earnings 10y: $49,641
Acceptance: 48.7%

University of Montevallo

Montevallo, AL · Public

Acceptance: 53.9%
Net price: $17,683
Earnings 10y: $42,957
Acceptance: 53.9%

Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL · Public

Acceptance: 58%
Net price: $17,621
Earnings 10y: $40,628
Acceptance: 58%

United States Sports University

Daphne, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 61.4%
Net price: $24,076
Earnings 10y: $55,257
Acceptance: 61.4%

Stillman College

Tuscaloosa, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 62.3%
Net price: $15,258
Earnings 10y: $35,421
Acceptance: 62.3%

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, AL · Public

Acceptance: 68.6%
Net price: $18,796
Earnings 10y: $61,767
Acceptance: 68.6%

#10

Huntingdon College

Montgomery, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 69.5%
Net price: $22,566
Earnings 10y: $49,601
Acceptance: 69.5%

#11

University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL · Public

Acceptance: 71%
Net price: $17,648
Earnings 10y: $49,379
Acceptance: 71%

#12

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 73.1%
Net price: $22,085
Earnings 10y: $43,457
Acceptance: 73.1%

#13

Spring Hill College

Mobile, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 76.6%
Net price: $20,449
Earnings 10y: $51,500
Acceptance: 76.6%

#14

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public

Acceptance: 76.7%
Net price: $22,420
Earnings 10y: $59,221
Acceptance: 76.7%

#15

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, AL · Public

Acceptance: 77.7%
Net price: $14,279
Earnings 10y: $45,235
Acceptance: 77.7%

#16

University of Mobile

Mobile, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 77.9%
Net price: $22,382
Earnings 10y: $43,611
Acceptance: 77.9%

#17

Samford University

Birmingham, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 82.4%
Net price: $32,622
Earnings 10y: $58,469
Acceptance: 82.4%

#18

Talladega College

Talladega, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 85.4%
Net price: $15,560
Earnings 10y: $32,229
Acceptance: 85.4%

#19

University of North Alabama

Florence, AL · Public

Acceptance: 87.3%
Net price: $12,170
Earnings 10y: $45,415
Acceptance: 87.3%

#20

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public

Acceptance: 88.2%
Net price: $18,749
Earnings 10y: $54,501
Acceptance: 88.2%

#21

Heritage Christian University

Florence, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 90%
Net price: $15,426
Earnings 10y: $42,597
Acceptance: 90%

#22

Auburn University at Montgomery

Montgomery, AL · Public

Acceptance: 91.6%
Net price: $13,224
Earnings 10y: $44,391
Acceptance: 91.6%

#23

Herzing University-Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 93.3%
Net price: $19,651
Earnings 10y: $36,909
Acceptance: 93.3%

#24

Troy University

Troy, AL · Public

Acceptance: 96%
Net price: $16,527
Earnings 10y: $42,062
Acceptance: 96%

#25

Marion Military Institute

A+

Marion, AL · Public

Acceptance: 97%
Net price: $8,627
Earnings 10y: $59,644
Acceptance: 97%

How we picked this list

This list starts with Alabama colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 6.71 (13 public, 12 private).

Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.

FAQ

Who leads this ranking?

University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 42.7%.

How does EduGradify pick this list?

We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.

How many Alabama colleges are in this list?

26 Alabama colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.

What does net price mean here?

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.