Alabama Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Alabama College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Alabama institutions.
Top Alabama Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama | Public 4-yr | $12,467 | $35,172 | 33,200 |
| Auburn University | Public 4-yr | $13,254 | $35,928 | 26,700 |
| UAB (Birmingham) | Public 4-yr | $9,372 | $23,282 | 13,800 |
| Jacksonville State University | Public 4-yr | $12,894 | $24,876 | 7,900 |
| University of North Alabama | Public 4-yr | $11,790 | $23,580 | 7,100 |
| Troy University | Public 4-yr | $10,392 | $20,352 | 11,400 |
| Alabama State University | Public 4-yr | $11,912 | $21,824 | 3,200 |
| Alabama A&M University | Public 4-yr | $10,698 | $19,414 | 5,500 |
| Samford University | Private | $40,720 | $40,720 | 3,600 |
| University of Mobile | Private | $26,650 | $26,650 | 1,500 |
| Coastal Alabama CC | Community | $5,040 | $8,910 | 5,900 |
| Central Alabama CC | Community | $5,110 | $8,980 | 1,800 |
Alabama State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), the Alabama State Treasurer, and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP)
State/federal partnership for undergraduate students who file the FAFSA and attend an eligible Alabama school.
Alabama Student Grant Program (ASGP)
Applies at Samford, Miles, Oakwood, University of Mobile, and other eligible independent schools.
Alabama G.I. Dependents' Scholarship
For dependents of qualifying Alabama veterans rated 40% disabled or higher. Covers tuition, fees, and books.
POFSEAP (Police & Firefighter Survivors)
For spouses and dependents of Alabama police officers, firefighters, or rescue squad members killed or totally disabled in the line of duty.
Alabama Math & Science Teacher Education Program
Loan repayment assistance for math or science teachers committing to teach in high-need Alabama schools.
CollegeCounts Scholarship
One-time award for high school seniors and college freshmen with at least a 2.75 GPA and demonstrated financial need.
Student Loan Options for Alabama Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Alabama have a state student loan program?
No. Alabama does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Alabama residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Alabama state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Alabama students and families.
How much does college cost in Alabama?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Alabama public four-year universities is about $11,000 to $13,300 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $22,400 on campus for Alabama residents and $33,500 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Alabama?
Alabama borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $37,800 — higher than the U.S. average of about $35,200. Total outstanding federal student debt for Alabama residents is approximately $24.9 billion.
Does Alabama offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. The two primary grants are the Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP), a need-based grant up to $5,000 per year, and the Alabama Student Grant Program (ASGP), a non-need-based award up to $3,000 per year for students at eligible independent Alabama colleges.
Does Alabama have a state student loan program?
No. Alabama does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — examples include Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Alabama residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Alabama colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
Among public four-year universities, UAB has the lowest published in-state tuition and fees at roughly $9,372, followed by Alabama A&M, Troy, and the University of North Alabama. Community colleges offer the lowest overall cost, averaging about $5,264 per year in tuition and fees.
What scholarships are available for Alabama residents?
Key state-administered awards include the CollegeCounts Scholarship, the Alabama G.I. Dependents' Scholarship, the Police Officer's and Firefighter's Survivors Educational Assistance Program, and the Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program. Most institutions also offer merit- and need-based scholarships at the campus level.
Related Alabama Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at UA, Auburn, UAB, Jacksonville State, UNA, Troy, and Alabama State (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) program pages for ASAP, ASGP, and POFSEAP
- Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs for the G.I. Dependents' Scholarship
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Claire Tak