2024 Best Colleges for Public Policy in the Birmingham Area

• Birmingham, AL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  2,275 reviews

Senior: I loved my experience with the University of Alabama at Birmingham so far! The campus is exhilarating, especially because it stretches over several blocks of Birmingham. There are "blue lights" on every block, making it a pretty safe campus. The dorms are nice, and so is the recreation center. The cafeteria always has good food, but there's also tons of restaurants around the city to choose from! This campus is probably the best in Alabama for diversity within the students. Overall, it's a great school with great students.... Read 2,275 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 89%

• Net price $16,990

• SAT range 1140-1340

• Montevallo, AL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  761 reviews

Junior: I can honestly say I cannot imagine being this happy with any other university. I had high standards, as someone wanting to attend college here since the age of 14, but I was not disappointed in the slightest. The Elementary Education program creates such a close-knit and knowledgable group of students that I am so excited to see teach. As a pretty quiet person myself, there are people in my Elementary Ed classes I wouldn't even imagine speaking to or having anything in common with, but everyone is so extremely supportive and it truly feels like a big family. The professors in my department are very well-respected and knowledgable, while still clear that I can go to them with any personal issue I need advice on. The surrounding town is also amazing, there is so much to do while still keeping the small-town energy that draws a lot of students to campus. This University, especially the Elementary Education program, have exceeded my expectations in every way. I cannot recommend it more!... Read 761 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $17,207

• SAT range 970-1200

• Birmingham, AL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  787 reviews

Freshman: My experience as a freshman at Samford University has been wonderful. Samford fosters an environment that encourages Christian community among students. The university is big enough to have everything you want (many majors and minors, connections with employers, study abroad opportunities, constant events, etc.) and small enough to feel like you genuinely know your professors and a large portion of the student body. It is for these reasons and many others that Samford University is ranked number one for student engagement. Some of the amenities are not quite as nice as those found at other universities, however. Many of the dorms are old and small, and the cafeteria, though improved in its recent remodel, is not quite as good as it should be.... Read 787 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $31,871

• SAT range 1100-1290

• Fairfield, AL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.29 out of 5  421 reviews

Alum: Driven to prepare you to become a leader in any field of study! I was an accounting and business double major as well as band member, choir member and still feel like I had more than enough time for classes and studies. Would recommend. They reach you how to prioritize your success and obtain it!... Read 421 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $14,868

• SAT range —

• Birmingham, AL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  329 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 329 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,342

• SAT range —