Best colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Alabama
Ranked by graduate earnings
Jacksonville State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Faulkner University award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Alabama: 128, 79 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 39 Alabama colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences and award 7,422 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,968 | 79 | 64% | — | $28,500 |
| 2 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,939 | 128 | 55% | — | $27,546 |
| 3 | Athens State University Athens Public · Bachelor's degree Degree completion | $50,903 | 101 | — | — | $27,839 |
| 4 | Oakwood University Huntsville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,724 | 15 | 45% | $23,870 | $51,250 |
| 5 | Alabama A & M University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,877 | 54 | 24% | — | $33,000 |
Top 10 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troy University Troy Public · Associate degree | $37,838 | 134 | 50% | — | $27,504 |
| 2 | Chattahoochee Valley Community College Phenix City Public · Associate degree | $28,470 | 130 | 36% | — | $11,149 |
| 3 | Southern Union State Community College Wadley Public · Associate degree | $26,174 | 851 | 36% | — | $9,860 |
| 4 | George C Wallace Community College - Dothan Dothan Public · Associate degree | $26,004 | 381 | 35% | — | — |
| 5 | Marion Military Institute Marion Public · Associate degree | $25,501 | 81 | 36% | — | $12,000 |
| 6 | Bevill State Community College Jasper Public · Associate degree | $25,063 | 401 | 38% | — | $7,750 |
| 7 | Central Alabama Community College Alexander City Public · Associate degree | $24,698 | 169 | 33% | — | $9,911 |
| 8 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner Public · Associate degree | $24,455 | 1,057 | 41% | — | $11,236 |
| 9 | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia Public · Associate degree | $24,295 | 123 | 41% | — | $5,500 |
| 10 | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville Public · Associate degree | $24,228 | 318 | 56% | — | $7,987 |
Colleges awarding the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Alabama
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville Public | 128 | $30,939 |
| 2 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Public | 79 | $40,968 |
| 3 | Faulkner University Montgomery Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 4 | Auburn University Auburn Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 5 | Oakwood University Huntsville Private not-for-profit | 15 | $30,724 |
| 6 | Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 7 | Tuskegee University Tuskegee Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 9 | Spring Hill College Mobile Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Mobile Mobile Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 29 Alabama colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199).
What Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Alabama
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Alabama.
Which Alabama colleges award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees?+
Jacksonville State University (128 graduates a year), University of Alabama at Birmingham (79 graduates a year) and Faulkner University (19 graduates a year) award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Alabama, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 39 Alabama colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Which Liberal Arts and Sciences program in Alabama has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Alabama at Birmingham tops the list at $40,968. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Alabama?+
The average annual wage for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other in Alabama is $52,760 (median $51,060), across about 220 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
What is the job outlook for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other?+
The national job outlook is about +1.8% growth with around 13,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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