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Best Trade Schools in Alabama

2023 Best Trade Schools in Alabama

27 Schools Ranked
$42,117 Average Earnings
$31,673 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

The Best Trade Schools in Alabama ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 27 schools in Alabama to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Schools in Alabama

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, Alabama
5,998 Total Awards

Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best school in Alabama for trade school students working on their degree. This fairly large private for-profit school is located in Orange Beach, Alabama, and it awarded 5,998 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Columbia Southern University Report

#2

Herzing University - Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
245 Total Awards

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Herzing University - Birmingham. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Alabama list. Herzing University - Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 245 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Herzing University - Birmingham Report

#3

South University, Montgomery

Montgomery, Alabama
93 Total Awards

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means South University, Montgomery is a great place for trade school students. This very small private for-profit school is located in Montgomery, Alabama, and it awarded 93 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#4

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama
1,733 Total Awards

Out of the 27 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Samford University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Samford is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 1,733 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Samford University Report

#5

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
8,117 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Auburn University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in Alabama list. Located in Auburn, Alabama, the large public school awarded 8,117 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Auburn University Report

1,200 Total Awards

Bevill State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Jasper, Alabama, the small public school handed out 1,200 degrees in 2021-2022.

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329 Total Awards

With a ranking of #7, Wallace Community College, Selma did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Wallace Community College, Selma is a small public school located in Selma, Alabama that handed out 329 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Wallace Community College, Selma Report

1,018 Total Awards

Wallace Community College, Dothan did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. Dothan, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,018 students in 2021-2022.

Full Wallace Community College, Dothan Report

609 Total Awards

Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Alabama list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the small public school handed out 609 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Report

#10

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
6,377 Total Awards

With a ranking of #10, University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the large public school handed out 6,377 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full University of Alabama at Birmingham Report

#11

Gadsden State Community College

Gadsden, Alabama
1,522 Total Awards

With a ranking of #11, Gadsden State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Located in Gadsden, Alabama, the small public school handed out 1,522 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Gadsden State Community College Report

#12

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, Alabama
2,035 Total Awards

Jacksonville State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Jacksonville State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Jacksonville, Alabama. It awarded 2,035 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Jacksonville State University Report

#13

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
3,705 Total Awards

University of South Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the fairly large public school awarded 3,705 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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#14

Shelton State Community College

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
853 Total Awards

Shelton State Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. This small public school is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and it awarded 853 degrees in 2021-2022.

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2,501 Total Awards

Wallace State Community College, Hanceville landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Hanceville, Alabama, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,501 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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3,268 Total Awards

John C Calhoun State Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Alabama list. John C Calhoun State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Tanner, Alabama that handed out 3,268 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full John C Calhoun State Community College Report

#17

Lurleen B Wallace Community College

Andalusia, Alabama
541 Total Awards

With a ranking of #17, Lurleen B Wallace Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Located in Andalusia, Alabama, the small public school handed out 541 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#18

Coastal Alabama Community College

Bay Minette, Alabama
1,515 Total Awards

Coastal Alabama Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Coastal Alabama Community College is a public institution located in Bay Minette, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,515 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Coastal Alabama Community College

#19

University of West Alabama

Livingston, Alabama
1,866 Total Awards

University of West Alabama ranked #19 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Alabama list. This medium-sized public school is located in Livingston, Alabama, and it awarded 1,866 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#20

Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Phenix City, Alabama
646 Total Awards

Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a small public school located in Phenix City, Alabama that handed out 646 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Chattahoochee Valley Community College Report

#21

Jefferson State Community College

Birmingham, Alabama
1,652 Total Awards

Jefferson State Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Jefferson State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 1,652 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Jefferson State Community College

#22

Northeast Alabama Community College

Rainsville, Alabama
1,127 Total Awards

Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Rainsville, Alabama, the small public school handed out 1,127 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Northeast Alabama Community College Report

1,684 Total Awards

Southern Union State Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Southern Union State Community College is located in Wadley, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,684 degrees to qualified students.

Full Southern Union State Community College Report

#24

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
3,892 Total Awards

With a ranking of #24, Troy University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Troy University is a fairly large public school located in Troy, Alabama that handed out 3,892 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#25

Bishop State Community College

Mobile, Alabama
651 Total Awards

Bishop State Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the small public school awarded 651 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Bishop State Community College

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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