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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Alabama
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Alabama? We have ranked 79 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College analyzed 27 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Alabama
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best-value Trade school in Alabama. Set in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,224. Typical Trade student debt is $25,447. Median earnings reach $63,534 ten years out. Set against $25,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Columbia Southern University
George C Wallace State Community College Selma came in at #2 on this year's best-value Trade ranking in Alabama. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,598 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full George C Wallace State Community College Selma profile
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Trade ranking 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. Median earnings reach $36,438 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,204 median debt. See the full Chattahoochee Valley Community College profile
A rank of #4 makes Shelton State Community College one of the best values in Alabama. 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. Median earnings reach $35,014 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Shelton State Community College profile
You'll get strong value at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #5 this year. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Bevill State Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. 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. Bevill State Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,107 a decade after entry. Set against $11,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Bevill State Community College
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus landed the #7 spot for value in Alabama this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,701 ten years after entry. Set against $11,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,842 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville profile
Lurleen B Wallace Community College landed the #9 spot for value in Alabama this year. 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. Lurleen B Wallace Community College alumni report median earnings of $32,307 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Lurleen B Wallace Community College
John C Calhoun State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. 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. John C Calhoun State Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,192 a decade after entry. Set against $13,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on John C Calhoun State Community College
Gadsden State Community College came in at #11 in this year's value 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,937. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Gadsden State Community College
James H Faulkner State Community College landed the #11 spot for value in Alabama this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,894. That is a strong return on a $14,326 median debt. Read more about James H Faulkner State Community College
Jefferson State Community College landed the #13 spot for value in Alabama this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,719. Set against $15,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Jefferson State Community College
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #14 in this year's value 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. Northeast Alabama Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,913 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt. Read more about Northeast Alabama Community College
Southern Union State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,597. That is a strong return on a $11,555 median debt. See the full Southern Union State Community College profile
Bishop State Community College landed the #16 spot for value in Alabama this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,916 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Bishop State Community College
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #17 spot for value in Alabama this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. 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. Median earnings reach $54,501 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Snead State Community College placed #18 among the best-value Trade schools in Alabama. 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. Snead State Community College alumni report median earnings of $35,735 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Snead State Community College
University Of South Alabama came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Set in Mobile, AL, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,379. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%. Read the full report on University Of South Alabama
Herzing University Birmingham came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $29,954. Herzing University Birmingham alumni report median earnings of $36,909 a decade after entry. Set against $29,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%. See the full Herzing University Birmingham profile
Auburn University landed the #21 spot for value in Alabama this year. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,337. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%. Read the full report on Auburn University
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,828 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt. Read more about Northwest Shoals Community College
Jacksonville State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Jacksonville, AL, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,235. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Jacksonville State University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read more about Jacksonville State University
University Of West Alabama ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Livingston, AL, University Of West Alabama is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,232 ten years after entry. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of West Alabama profile
South University Montgomery landed the #25 spot for value in Alabama this year. Located in Montgomery, AL, South University Montgomery is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,895. Graduates carry a median of $48,920 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,421 ten years after entry. Set against $48,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on South University Montgomery
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Alabama
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Troy University landed the #26 spot for value in Alabama this year. Based in Troy, AL, Troy University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,062. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. See the full Troy University profile
Samford University placed #27 among the best-value Trade schools in Alabama. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. The median Trade program debt is $21,039. Samford University alumni report median earnings of $58,469 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Samford University
Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham report
Cardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on Cardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound
Birmingham Southern College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Birmingham Southern College report
Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology landed the #31 spot for value in Alabama this year. See the full Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology profile
Midfield Institute Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Midfield Institute Of Cosmetology
New Beginning College Of Cosmetology came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on New Beginning College Of Cosmetology
Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. More on Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville
J F Ingram State Technical College placed #35 among the best-value Trade schools in Alabama. Read the full report on J F Ingram State Technical College
Fortis College Dothan ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Fortis College Dothan
Brown Beauty Barber School ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Brown Beauty Barber School profile
Faulkner University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Faulkner University
Athens State University placed #39 among the best-value Trade schools in Alabama. Read the full report on Athens State University
Fortis College
Fortis College landed the #40 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read the full report on Fortis College
Spring Hill College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Spring Hill College
Miles College
Miles College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Miles College
Selma University
Selma University landed the #43 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read more about Selma University
Huntingdon College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Huntingdon College
Strayer University Alabama landed the #45 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read more about Strayer University Alabama
Tuskegee University placed #46 among the best-value Trade schools in Alabama. Read more about Tuskegee University
Bluefield University Edward Via College Auburn offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Bluefield University Edward Via College Auburn report
Oakwood University landed the #48 spot for value in Alabama this year. More on Oakwood University
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Auburn University At Montgomery profile
Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 27 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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