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2026 Best Trade Schools in Alabama
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Alabama? We have ranked 79 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College analyzed 60 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Alabama
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Columbia Southern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Trade degree schools in Alabama. Set in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,224. Typical Trade student debt is $25,447. Read more about Columbia Southern University
Herzing University Birmingham came in at #2 on this year's Trade ranking in Alabama. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. About 25% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $29,954. See the full Herzing University Birmingham profile
South University Montgomery came in at #3 on this year's Trade ranking in Alabama. Located in Montgomery, AL, South University Montgomery is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 14% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,895. Graduates carry a median of $48,920 in student loans. Read the full report on South University Montgomery
You'll be in good company at Samford University, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. The median Trade program debt is $21,039. Read the full report on Samford University
Out of the 60 schools in Alabama in this year's ranking, Auburn University landed the #5 spot. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Auburn University
Bevill State Community College placed #6 among Trade schools in Alabama. Set in Jasper, AL, Bevill State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Graduates carry a median of $11,040 in student loans. Read the full report on Bevill State Community College
George C Wallace State Community College Selma landed the #7 spot in Alabama this year. Located in Selma, AL, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,740 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,610. The median Trade program debt is $15,250. See the full George C Wallace State Community College Selma profile
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #8 among Trade schools in Alabama. Located in Dothan, AL, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. The median Trade program debt is $9,942. Read more about George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $11,769. Read the full report on Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. University Of Alabama At Birmingham Trade students take on a median of $26,162 in debt. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Gadsden State Community College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Gadsden State Community College is a public school based in Gadsden, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Gadsden State Community College Trade students take on a median of $9,312 in debt. Read the full report on Gadsden State Community College
Jacksonville State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Jacksonville, AL, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. Jacksonville State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Read more about Jacksonville State University
University Of South Alabama came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Mobile, AL, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. University Of South Alabama Trade students take on a median of $26,513 in debt. Read the full report on University Of South Alabama
Shelton State Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Tuscaloosa, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,127, compared with $8,997 for out-of-state students. Shelton State Community College Trade students take on a median of $10,688 in debt. See the full Shelton State Community College profile
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Hanceville, AL, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. See the full George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville profile
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #16 spot in Alabama this year. This public school is set in Tanner, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,120, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,839 in student loans. More on John C Calhoun State Community College
Lurleen B Wallace Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Andalusia, AL. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $7,500. Read the full report on Lurleen B Wallace Community College
James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. James H Faulkner State Community College is a public school based in Bay Minette, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,326 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about James H Faulkner State Community College
University Of West Alabama came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Livingston, AL, University Of West Alabama is a public institution. University Of West Alabama graduates 28% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. See the full University Of West Alabama profile
Chattahoochee Valley Community College placed #20 among Trade schools in Alabama. Based in Phenix City, AL, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Typical Trade student debt is $13,204. See the full Chattahoochee Valley Community College profile
Jefferson State Community College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Jefferson State Community College is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $15,083 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Jefferson State Community College
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Rainsville, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical Trade student debt is $7,459. Read more about Northeast Alabama Community College
Southern Union State Community College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Wadley, AL, Southern Union State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,555 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Southern Union State Community College profile
Troy University landed the #24 spot in Alabama this year. Based in Troy, AL, Troy University is a public institution. Troy University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Troy University profile
Bishop State Community College placed #25 among Trade schools in Alabama. Bishop State Community College is a public school based in Mobile, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $9,210. Bishop State Community College Trade students take on a median of $13,712 in debt. More on Bishop State Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in Alabama
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Snead State Community College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Boaz, AL, Snead State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,278 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,083 in student loans. More on Snead State Community College
Northwest Shoals Community College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Muscle Shoals, AL, Northwest Shoals Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $13,312. Read more about Northwest Shoals Community College
Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham placed #28 among Trade schools in Alabama. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham report
J F Ingram State Technical College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on J F Ingram State Technical College
Selma University
Selma University landed the #30 spot in Alabama this year. Read more about Selma University
Marion Military Institute placed #31 among Trade schools in Alabama. Read the full report on Marion Military Institute
Faulkner University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Faulkner University
Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology landed the #33 spot in Alabama this year. More on Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology
Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway landed the #34 spot in Alabama this year. Read the full report on Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway
Jersey College Dothan came in at #35 in this year's ranking. More on Jersey College Dothan
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #36 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Alabama At Huntsville profile
Alabama College Of Osteopathic Medicine landed the #37 spot in Alabama this year. Read the full report on Alabama College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Alabama A And M University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Alabama A And M University
Strayer University Alabama did well this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Strayer University Alabama
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #40 spot in Alabama this year. See the full Auburn University At Montgomery profile
Brown Beauty Barber School did well this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Brown Beauty Barber School profile
Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville came in at #42 in this year's ranking. More on Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville
Reid State Technical College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read more about Reid State Technical College
Enterprise State Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. More on Enterprise State Community College
University Of Mobile placed #45 among Trade schools in Alabama. See the full University Of Mobile profile
Remington College Mobile Campus placed #46 among Trade schools in Alabama. More on Remington College Mobile Campus
Birmingham Southern College placed #47 among Trade schools in Alabama. Get the full Birmingham Southern College report
Heritage Christian University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. More on Heritage Christian University
The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville profile
Fortis College
Fortis College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Read the full report on Fortis College
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 60 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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