2024 Best Colleges for Low-Income Students in Alabama

• Dothan, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  335 reviews

Graduate Student: Wallace is a great starter school. Starting at Wallace geared my mind and better prepared me for the University level. The instructors are awesome! Changes to the campus, instructing material and supplies, and Blackboard are constantly transitioning. They are always open to ideas for improvement, make them known when you take the semester improvement quiz. My experience at Wallace was enjoyable and smooth, and I will greatly miss them.... Read 335 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $1,274

• SAT range —

• Gadsden, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  385 reviews

Freshman: I am in my second semester of school at Gadsden State, and everything has been great. The staff at the Ayers campus is accommodating and the teachers are good and seem to care about the success and well-being of their students. I am a cosmetology student and the Salon and Spa building is beautiful with all of the amenities necessary for my technical work. The library offers free coffee and snacks to students who need to fuel up before or during class. There is always a food truck on campus, so students can purchase food, drinks, and snacks.... Read 385 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,890

• SAT range —

• Andalusia, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  195 reviews

Freshman: LBW is a fantastic school to be at! The teachers are helpful and kind! The counselers are some of the best I've had! Some things that could be changed is the campus hours, It is a community college but if you work its hard to get into the library when it closes at 5:00pm.... Read 195 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,037

• SAT range —

• Rainsville, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  186 reviews

Other: I got involved with Northeast through its dual enrollment program offered to my high school. I started taking online classes with the college beginning of my sophomore year and have since then been able to acquire numerous college credits. As a senior, I have the opportunity to graduate with my associate degree from northeast due to their service to our local schools. Northeast has a variety of great teachers and staff that value the students learning and truly help them achieve the best. I am proud to be a student at Northeast Alabama Community College.... Read 186 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $3,109

• SAT range —

• Boaz, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  155 reviews

Freshman: Many opportunities for scholarships! Snead is a great way to ease into college life and get credits to transfer somewhere else later. Most classes are not very rigorous. I would definitely recommend Snead as a solid option, especially if you don't feel ready for "real" college or need somewhere cost-effective.... Read 155 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,877

• SAT range —

• Selma, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  126 reviews

Niche User: I go here for dual enrollment it is a great opportunity for high-school students like myself to get ahead and know or get a feel of actual college and they are actual college classes with real professors that and also you take the classes with some times actual college students. This environment is nice and friendly and it has been wonderful experience so far.... Read 126 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $2,247

• SAT range —

• Enterprise, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  152 reviews

Graduate Student: Teachers were great people. At the time I was there (2013-2015), there weren't many degrees to choose from, especially if you were an art major, but I hear they've since added more programs. They don’t have a cafeteria as of yet to my understanding, but they have vending machines. The people I had tried talking to back in the day about helping me figure out the transfer process were not the most helpful, but I'm sure that's changed since then. Also, back then, I had no idea what Student Services was and what they did, and, apparently, they would've been a great resource. Hopefully they've since spread the word about it a bit more. They have an art festival once a year in April that's pretty neat to go to. Once, my film-maker friends had arranged to even do the first ever local film festival during that event, and that also went pretty well. The school is certainly open to opportunities to improve.... Read 152 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $3,064

• SAT range —

• Muscle Shoals, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  178 reviews

Junior: Northwest-Shoals community college has been my home since graduating from high school in 2021. I completed all of my basics at shoals with the original plan of going into diagnostic imaging or sonography. Fast forward and now I am beginning my first semester of registered nursing school at NWSCC in the fall 2023 semester. I have not had any personal issues with any of the teachers or staff at the Shoals campus. They have all been eager to be a part of my learning process and for that I am very grateful. Staff of the financial aid department is always very helpful with assisting me in getting government FASFA money and helping me learn to apply to the right scholarships. Thank you NWSCC for all of your help with my college success!... Read 178 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $3,493

• SAT range —

• Huntsville, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  173 reviews

Sophomore: Through out my years of studying at Drake I have really became close to my teachers. All of them are very understanding, and helpful. The school is being remodel at the time so things tend to get a little crazy. There have been some times I would worry about my grades, but it wasn’t a time that passed that my instructor wasn’t able to provide this information to me.... Read 173 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,746

• SAT range —

• Tanner, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  728 reviews

Junior: The campus has two main buildings but most people hang out at the spark building. This is due to how many options the building includes such as a library, tutoring area, cafe, bookstore, game area(foosball, table tennis, and pool), admissions, and advising. The campus is one of the safest I've been on with a personal security force. The security officers are actually welcomed and liked by students/staff as they walk by on patrol throughout the area. A phone number is even available to students/staff if they feel unsafe and need an escort to their ride. The campus is right next to busy roads and train tracks, so outside can be quite loud at times. Sometimes the noise can be heard in some of the buildings. This campus does not allow the advisors to sit down with a student (believed COVID precaution). Instead, right outside of the offices, the students will meet their advisors with a little fence between the two.... Read 728 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,459

• SAT range —

• Phenix City, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  160 reviews

Freshman: Great small school, hard to see them do better than they currently are. Fantastic tutoring department for helping students succeed. Small class sizes make it easier for students to communicate with the professors. My personal experience has been overall positive. I am a part of the music department which has been a great set of students and professors. I have enjoyed playing and preforming music. My experience with the math department has been positive so far. My math professor provided a helpful and engaging class plan that made it easy to learn what was needed to pass the class. The English Department has a great Professor in Heather Royse. she made the task of writing essays significantly easier that it usually is for me. The bulk of my time is in the tutoring department as they provide tools for completing work and Assistance where needed. it has been positive so far and i hope it will continue to be.... Read 160 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $3,596

• SAT range —

• Jasper, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  322 reviews

Alum: My experience was overall amazing. I was welcomed the very first day I started classes. If I ever needed help or guidance my advisor was always there and always guided me in the right direction. If I could change anything about this college it would be the summer classes. Not all classes are welcomed and available and sometimes you don’t get a great variety of options to choice from through the summer. Overall glad to be an alumni from this college! Go bears!... Read 322 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,762

• SAT range —

• Hanceville, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  471 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed my time at Wallace. I will say, it's not very fun if you don't get involved. Since it is a community college, there are not that many people who hang out on campus. Most of us just drive to class and drive home. However, there are lots of events on campus where you can meet people. The instructors are very nice and willing to help you in any way they can. All of my instructors I had remembered my name, which I thought was cool and was something I didn't expect. The tutoring lab is AMAZING. It's free and they will bend over backwards to help you. Overall, I feel like I am much more prepared to transfer to my university because of Wallace. I feel like I got a good, quality education that will form the basis for whatever I do from here on. If you're considering Wallace, go for it! They have TONS of scholarships, and I got my time at Wallace almost completely paid for. Two years of undergrad basically free! Just make sure you get involved!... Read 471 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,924

• SAT range —

• Tuscaloosa, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  403 reviews

Sophomore: I love attending Shelton state Community College. It is a very good school to get your basic classes before going off to a four year university. It has an arrangement of sports, such as men's and women's basketball, baseball, and cheerleading. Shelton State has two campuses one is called Martin campus which I attend and the other is called Fred campus. Shelton State offers degrees and certificates such as biology, nursing, forestry, cosmetology, theater, culinary arts, welding, and applied science. Shelton State has other classes and extracurricular activities one can take such as theater, band, art, aerobics, Spanish, and tai chai. Shelton State has a Chick-fil-A where one can eat. Offers arrangement of plays, hair shows, and band shows throughout the year and you can pay what you can for some of the theater plays. Shelton offers financial aid and scholarships such as the Phi theta kappa government organization. Shelton does not offer housing but one can stay in an apartment.... Read 403 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,662

• SAT range —

• Wadley, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  314 reviews

Freshman: “All of our dreams can only come true, if we try and pursue them.” That is a quote that I live by, and one that encouraged me to further my education. I am attending Southern Union, and I couldn’t have imagined anything better and more fulfilling. Some day, I’d like to transfer my credits and earn a bachelors degree from Auburn University!... Read 314 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,066

• SAT range —

• Birmingham, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  328 reviews

Alum: I went to Lawson State Community college for one year for cosmetology, and I enjoyed it. The school is very graceful and mercy toward their students. I know because I went here and was shown this grace while attending school when I was sick; they called and checked on me. I was pregnant and I missed quite a few days at first, but the school didn't let me fail. I also returned to school after I had my baby, and I was able to pick back up on the classes that I had to drop without penalty. I seen my son attend this school and they helped him in many ways un-imaginable. He took free classes that really helped him achieve his goals.... Read 328 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,342

• SAT range —

• Birmingham, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  541 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, AL, has been exceptionally positive. The college exudes a welcoming atmosphere where dedicated professors nurture a culture of learning and growth. The variety of courses offered online allowed me to explore my interests and tailor my educational journey to my needs. Moreover, the supportive community at Jefferson State has been instrumental in my personal and academic development, making this institution a beacon of opportunity and a springboard for my future endeavors.... Read 541 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,675

• SAT range —

• Bay Minette, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  466 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, I did not have a bad experience at Coastal Alabama. The campus itself is pretty small but the school is also a community college in a very small town in Alabama. The good part about the school being kind of small is that you get pretty familiar with everyone. There are two sets of dorms and there are some dorm rules. Check in/ check out was never anyones favorite thing while staying in the dorms but it is doable. Campus police are also readily available to help students at all times throughout the day and night if needed. There are also plenty of resources to help register for classes and other things of that nature. There's also great teachers at Coastal Alabama Community college, as well as scholarships that can be applied for. Coastal also offers on campus jobs throughout the school year! One last thing is the cafeteria food. It actually pretty good!... Read 466 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,744

• SAT range —

• Evergreen, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  28 reviews

Sophomore: I'm currently enrolled in their LPN program. The staff and instructors are friendly and the atmosphere is conducive for learning. You will be equipped with information and skills you need to succeed as a LPN. Prerequisites are not required to be accepted into the program but you must complete them prior to graduation. My best advice would be complete your prereqs prior to entering the program due to the program being fast paced. Also having completed your prereqs prior to the program, you only have to focus on your nursing class which is very beneficial from what i've seen from experience. There is a location in Atmore, Al and Evergreen, Al.... Read 28 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $931

• SAT range —