2023 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Columbia Southern University (CSU) is a private, for-profit institution. CSU offers several online degree programs — ranging from bachelor's degrees to doctorates. CSU’s online bachelor’s programs are designed for working professionals, parents, and anyone with commitments outside school.

CSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via the Blackboard learning management system (LMS). The online bachelor’s degrees at CSU include Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Information Systems and Cybersecurity, Fire Administration, Health Care Administration, Homeland Security, and Occupational Safety and Health. Online students can access academic advising, career services, remote proctoring, a math and writing center, and more.

Auburn University is a public institution that offers a limited number of online bachelor's and master's degree programs. To earn bachelor's degrees, distance learners can study business administration, accounting, computer science, or nursing. Master's options include agronomy and soils, environmental science, business administration, accounting, finance, or information systems.

Distance learners access their online courses through the Canvas learning system. Auburn University has a somewhat competitive acceptance rate of 44% and a graduation rate of 81%, and 91% of its enrollees are full-time students.

At the University of West Alabama, a public institution, students can opt for one of 68 online degrees, including 17 bachelor's degrees, 28 master's degrees, and two online doctoral degrees. One of the highest-ranking online programs is the master's in student counseling and personnel services. The university has a 69% acceptance rate and a 38% graduation rate.

West Alabama's online students use Blackboard to access course materials and submit assignments. About three-quarters of the school's students attend college full time.

The University of Alabama (UA) is a public institution. UA offers online bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, specialist, and certificate programs for prospective students. UA offers many majors in an online format, with topics covering education, health science, business, and nursing, to name a few.

At UA, distance learners complete coursework and engage in peer discussion through the LMS Blackboard, which delivers the material asynchronously and synchronously. UA’s online bachelor’s degrees include (but are not limited to) Public Health, Human Environmental Sciences, General Business, Advertising, Communication Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Hospitality Management. Online student resources at UA include virtual academic coaching, tutoring, disability support, library services, a writing center, and a career center.

At Athens State University, a public institution, online students can pursue online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Athens has transfer-friendly online bachelor’s degree programs, which is an excellent option for students who already have an associate degree but want to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college. Athens aims to deliver online degree programs that increase job opportunities for graduates.

Athens facilitates distance learning through the LMS Blackboard. Some of the school's online bachelor’s programs are Aerospace Systems Management, Criminal Justice, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Educational Studies, Religion, and Accounting. Online students can access counseling, career development services, and academic advising.

Samford University is a private, nonprofit institution affiliated with the Baptist Church. Students here can opt for one of 21 online degrees, including two bachelor's degrees, 12 master's degrees, and seven online doctoral degrees. Offerings are particularly strong in the areas of nursing and public health. The university has a 83% acceptance rate and a 78% graduation rate.

At Samford, online students use Canvas to access course materials and submit assignments. Nearly all of the school's students attend college full time.

At Troy University, a public institution, prospective students can pursue online bachelor’s degree in various specialties. Troy offers 9-week terms, which allows students to enroll at one of the five start dates throughout the school year. Troy’s online programs provide scheduling flexibility for students who work or have other commitments.

Troy's online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through the popular LMS Canvas. A few examples of online bachelor’s degree programs at Troy include Anthropology, Computer Science, Human Services, Interdisciplinary Studies, Graphic Design, and Occupational Education. Troy’s remote student support provides tutoring, counseling, writing centers, and career services.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a public university with several online undergraduate degrees across varied majors. From marketing to healthcare management, prospective students have a wide variety of online degree programs to choose from.

UAB facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via the LMS Canvas. Some of UAB’s popular online bachelor’s degree programs are Accounting, Community Health and Human Services, Finance, Industrial Distribution, Management, Criminal Justice, and Information Systems. Remote students at UAB have access to the following resources: a writing center, tutoring services, academic advising, and IT support.

The publicly operated University of Alabama in Huntsville offers distance education degrees at all levels. Among the school's offerings are online master's degrees in computer/information technology administration and management, industrial engineering, and teacher education. The Huntsville location accepts 78% of applicants and graduates 63% of its students.

Online learners view their course lectures and readings, engage in group learning activities, and complete homework assignments through the Canvas learning management system. Of all enrollees, 82% are full-time students.

Jacksonville State University is a public institution that offers online bachelor's and master's degree programs. Among the most popular programs are the bachelor's degree in public administration and social services and the master's in education. This school also ranks high on our lists of the most affordable online master's programs in English, systems engineering, and nutrition.

Distance learners at this school access their online courses through the Canvas learning system. Jacksonville State has an acceptance rate of 78% and a graduation rate of 52%, and just over three-quarters of its enrollees are full-time students.

The University of North Alabama, which is a public university, offers bachelor's and master's degrees through distance education. Among the school's most notable online programs is the master's in education. North Alabama accepts 96% of all applicants, and 52% of students earn their degree.

At this school, online students access their online courses through the Canvas learning management system. Three-quarters of enrollees are studying full time.

The University of South Alabama, which is a public university, offers a limited number of bachelor's and master's degrees through distance education. Among the school's offerings are a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies, an RN-to-BSN bridge program, and 13 master's degrees in nursing, education, and business. South Alabama accepts 65% of all applicants, and 48% of students earn their degree.

At this school, online students access their online courses through the USAonline learning management system, powered by Canvas. Of all of the school's students, 84% attend college full time.

Faulkner University is a private, non-profit institution affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university provides a wide selection of online degrees at all levels. Some of the highest-ranking distance learning programs include the bachelor's degree in business and commerce and both the bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice and corrections. The school has an 82% acceptance rate and a 33% graduation rate.

Faulkner University delivers its online course offerings through the Blackboard learning platform. Just over two-thirds of the school's enrollees are full-time students.

A private, nonprofit school, Amridge University is associated with the Churches of Christ. The school offers more than 40 online degrees at all levels — primarily graduate degrees — in four major areas: general studies, business and leadership, education and human services, and theology. Some specific examples include an associate degree in information systems management, a bachelor's in Biblical studies, and an MBA.

Amridge students use the Canvas learning platform to participate in their online classes. Just over half of the student population studies full time, and 50% earn their degree.

The public Auburn University at Montgomery offers a small selection of online undergraduate degrees and an extensive selection of online graduate degrees and certificates. Bachelor's degrees are available in general business, nursing, and medical laboratory science. Options for master's degrees include business administration, exercise science, criminal justice, nursing, and healthcare administration.

Online learners access their course materials and engage in learning activities through the Canvas platform. Three-quarters of Auburn learners are full time students. The school has a 92% acceptance rate and a 36% graduation rate.

The United States Sports Academy is a highly specialized private, nonprofit institution. The school offers online degrees exclusively and only in sports-related fields. Some of the programs available include bachelor's and master's degrees in sports management, coaching, exercise science, sports science, and sports studies.

The academy delivers all of its online courses through the Canvas learning management system. All applicants are accepted, and 80% of students are enrolled part time.

Heritage Christian University is a private, nonprofit institution affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The school's online offerings include bachelor's degrees in general education, Biblical and theological studies, and professional studies. There are also three master's degrees available in Biblical languages and ministry.

Distance learners access their courses through the Populi learning platform, and they can use online library resources. The school accepts all applicants, and 60% of the student population are enrolled part time