Business Schools in Alabama
Statistics from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) show 33 public and non-profit schools in the state of Alabama granting undergraduate and graduate accredited business schools. Of these, 24 offer accredited undergraduate business programs and 13 offer accredited graduate business programs. The business accreditation is from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and/or International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). All the schools on our list are public or non-profit and regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Accreditation ensures that the school’s business programs have clear goals and proven outcomes and that the institution adheres to national and international standards. Business accredited schools also provide opportunities for real-world interaction with businesses, which give students a broader educational experience.
The three sections that follow cover undergraduate programs for business degrees, graduate business schools, and the job prospects for business school graduates in Alabama.
Best Business Schools in Alabama
Best business schools in Alabama according to US News data.
- University of Alabama (Manderson) – #63 in Best Business Schools, #44 in Best Undergraduate Business School Programs, #61 in Top Public Schools, #87 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #13 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- Auburn University – #73 in Best Business Schools, #52 in Top Public Schools, #62 in Undergraduate Business School Programs, #115 in Top National Universities, #11 in Best Online MBA Programs, #6 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- University of Alabama-Birmingham – #111 in Top Part-time MBA, #80 in Top Public Schools, #127 in Best Undergraduate Business School Programs, #30 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- University of Alabama-Huntsville – #133 in Top Part-time MBA, #230 in Best National Universities
- Samford University – #2 Best Colleges for Veterans, #25 in Best Value Schools, #7 in Most Innovative Schools, #68 in Best Online MBA Programs
Undergraduate Business Schools in Alabama
We were able to obtain acceptance rates for 17 undergraduate programs for business degrees in Alabama, mostly in the moderate range. The average acceptance rate is 60%, and 10 of the 18 have rates of at least 56%. The lowest acceptance is 42% at Stillman College, and the highest acceptance rate, of nearly 91%, can be found at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.
Graduation rates for undergraduate programs in Alabama are a bit on the low side, with an overall average of around 41% for the 18 business schools for which we have data. Samford University and Auburn University have the highest graduation rates, with 91% and 81%.
Popular undergraduate degrees in Alabama: Accounting Information Systems Degree | Human Resources Degree | Project Management Degree
The table below shows all the important data about our undergraduate business degrees, including annual in-state tuition costs, average aid, acceptance rates, median SAT and ACT scores of accepted students, and graduation rates. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Aid | Median SAT | Median ACT | Accept. Rate | Grad. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery | $9,220 | $7,751 | 730-920 | 15-19 | 46% | 22% |
| Athens State University | Athens | $5,940 | $2,306 | 0% | |||
| Auburn University | Auburn | $10,696 | $8,892 | 1060-1260 | 24-30 | 81% | 75% |
| Auburn University Montgomery | Montgomery | $9,640 | $5,944 | 880-990 | 19-24 | 77% | 23% |
| Bishop State Community College | Mobile | $4,380 | $4,197 | ||||
| Faulkner University | 0 | $20,130 | $7,650 | 880-1120 | 18-23 | 45% | 32% |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | $7,500 | $6,806 | 870-1120 | 20-26 | 53% | 36% |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham | $4,440 | $3,709 | ||||
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham | $4,380 | $4,322 | ||||
| Miles College | Fairfield | $11,604 | $6,743 | 17% | |||
| Oakwood University | Huntsville | $16,750 | $4,336 | 750-1010 | 16-21 | 48% | 47% |
| Samford University | Birmingham | $29,402 | $14,545 | 1020-1238 | 23-29 | 91% | 73% |
| Stillman College | Tuscaloosa | $10,418 | $7,248 | 740-910 | 14-17 | 42% | 18% |
| The University of West Alabama | Livingston | $8,876 | $5,071 | 860-1020 | 18-23 | 53% | 29% |
| Troy University | Troy | $8,260 | $7,047 | 925-1160 | 18-24 | 91% | 38% |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee | $20,015 | $6,097 | 890-1110 | 21-22 | 50% | 46% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | $8,040 | $7,267 | 970-1300 | 21-28 | 58% | 53% |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | $9,842 | $7,870 | 1060-1340 | 25-31 | 76% | 49% |
| University of Mobile | Mobile | $21,400 | $10,861 | 850-1120 | 19-25 | 62% | 48% |
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo | $12,040 | $8,632 | 900-1200 | 20-26 | 65% | 50% |
| University of North Alabama | Florence | $8,114 | $5,301 | 862-1053 | 19-25 | 56% | 44% |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | $7,548 | $6,263 | 920-1130 | 20-23 | 81% | 38% |
| Wallace Community College Selma | Selma | $4,080 | $5,761 | ||||
| Wallace State Community College | Hanceville | $4,380 | $5,035 |
Graduate Business Schools in Alabama
According to data compiled from the AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE accrediting bodies, there are 13 accredited and non-profit options for obtaining an MBA or equivalent in Alabama, including several highly ranked schools several undiscovered options that are still worthy of consideration. The average tuition cost for graduate study in the state is $18,135, and the most affordable option is Jacksonville State University at $11,730.
If you want to continue working while pursuing your career, there are several online MBA programs in Alabama available. One of these is Jacksonville State University, which can be completed in as little as 12-18 months.
Popular graduate programs in Alabama: Online MBA in International Business | Online MBA in Sports Management | Online MBA in Operations Management
The table below shows Alabama graduate business school tuition costs, accepted applicants’ GMAT scores, the percentage of faculty with a doctorate, average undergraduate GPA figures of accepted students, and student-to-faculty ratios. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Avg. GMAT | Faculty with Doct. Degree |
Student/ Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Auburn | $24,116 | 584 | 91% | 1.8 |
| Auburn University Montgomery | Montgomery | $12,689 | 484 | 88% | 3.31 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | $11,730 | 79% | ||
| Samford University | Birmingham | $29,268 | 88% | ||
| The University of West Alabama | Livingston | $15,444 | |||
| Troy University | Troy | $17,784 | |||
| University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa | $27,252 | 617 | 80% | 3.78 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | $18,643 | 521 | 73% | |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | $18,421 | 541 | 94% | 2.67 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile | $17,460 | |||
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo | $12,300 | 64% | 1.05 | |
| University of North Alabama | Florence | $12,421 | 444 | 83% | 2.88 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | $18,222 | 535 | 85% |
Popular Articles: Accounting Schools in Alabama | Online MBA in Alabama

Job Outlook for Business School Graduates in Alabama
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the average annual wage across all occupations in Alabama in 2016 was $88,837 for business-related occupations.6 Annual wages for business occupation subcategories in Alabama ranged from $35,750 for tax preparers to $207,090 for chief executives.6
| Occupation Title | BLS.gov Code |
2016 Total Employment Alabama |
Mean Hourly Wage Alabama |
Mean Annual Wage Alabama |
National Growth 2016-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 13-2011 | 15,770 | $33 | $69,650 | 10.0% |
| Administrative Services Managers | 11-3011 | 590 | $47 | $98,700 | 10.1% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 11-2011 | 60 | * | * | 5.8% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 11-9041 | 2,450 | $67 | $139,100 | 5.5% |
| Budget Analysts | 13-2031 | 840 | $39 | $80,950 | 6.5% |
| Business Operations Specialists | 13-1199 | 7,230 | $41 | $84,850 | 8.8% |
| Chief Executives | 11-1011 | 1,120 | $100 | $207,090 | 8.0% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | 11-3111 | 70 | $60 | $124,270 | 5.0% |
| Compensation, and Benefits Specialists | 13-1141 | 580 | $31 | $64,350 | 8.5% |
| Compliance Officers | 13-1041 | 1,460 | $33 | $68,380 | 8.2% |
| Construction Managers | 11-9021 | 2,780 | $45 | $93,010 | 11.4% |
| Cost Estimators | 13-1051 | 2,070 | $29 | $60,870 | 10.6% |
| Credit Analysts | 13-2041 | 580 | $37 | $76,250 | 8.4% |
| Credit Counselors | 13-2071 | 170 | $25 | $52,530 | 13.9% |
| Financial Analysts | 13-2051 | 1,220 | $43 | $88,640 | 10.8% |
| Financial Examiners | 13-2061 | 800 | $34 | $70,900 | 9.8% |
| Financial Managers | 11-3031 | 5,200 | $63 | $130,980 | 0.187 |
| General and Operations Managers | 11-1021 | 27,150 | $58 | $120,730 | 9.1% |
| Human Resources Managers | 11-3121 | 1,200 | $51 | $105,670 | 8.9% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 13-1071 | 5,400 | $29 | $59,890 | 7.1% |
| Information Systems Managers | 11-3021 | 3,120 | $60 | $123,790 | 11.9% |
| Insurance Underwriters | 13-2053 | 1,060 | $29 | $59,950 | -5.2% |
| Labor Relations Specialists | 13-1075 | 1,010 | $23 | $48,610 | -7.8% |
| Loan Officers | 13-2072 | 3,850 | $33 | $69,280 | 11.5% |
| Logisticians | 13-1081 | 3,590 | $43 | $88,450 | 6.9% |
| Management Analysts | 13-1111 | 4,250 | $45 | $93,470 | 12.0% |
| Market Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 13-1161 | 3,370 | $28 | $59,210 | 22.8% |
| Marketing Managers | 11-2021 | 540 | $59 | $123,430 | 10.0% |
| Meeting and Event Planners | 13-1121 | 400 | $21 | $43,790 | 10.2% |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | 11-2031 | 430 | $45 | $94,270 | 10.4% |
| Purchasing Managers | 11-3061 | 900 | $53 | $109,200 | 5.6% |
| Sales Managers | 11-2022 | 2,220 | $61 | $126,630 | 7.4% |
| Tax Examiners and Revenue Agents | 13-2081 | 1,130 | $27 | $55,140 | -0.6% |
| Tax Preparers | 13-2082 | 800 | $17 | $35,750 | 10.8% |
| Training and Development Managers | 11-3131 | 140 | $59 | $123,450 | 10.3% |
| Training and Development Specialists | 13-1151 | 2,610 | $28 | $58,050 | 11.5% |
Other Popular State Pages
- Business Schools in Florida
- Business Schools in Georgia
- Business Schools in Tennessee
- Business Schools in Mississippi
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics:https://nces.ed.gov/
2. AACSB, Best Business Schools:https://bestbizschools.aacsb.edu/aacsb-accredited
3. ACBSP, Business Schools:https://acbsp.org/page/accreditation-overview
4. IACBE, Business Schools:https://iacbe.org/accreditation/
5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook, Business and Financial Occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm
6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment and Wage Estimates Alabama: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_al.htm
7. US News & World Report, Best Business Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools