2025 Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in Alabama

Unlock Your Psychology Career Potential: Compare the Best Psychology Degree Programs in Alabama for 2025

Top (10) Psychology Programs in Alabama

Psychology Education in Alabama: A Comprehensive Analysis of Top Programs and Career Prospects

Alabama offers a rich landscape of psychology education opportunities, with 25 four-year institutions providing 99 psychology programs across the state. In 2021, these programs produced 3,407 psychology graduates, highlighting the field’s popularity and importance in the region. Let’s delve into the key aspects of psychology education in Alabama, examining top programs, admission trends, and career prospects.

Top Psychology Programs in Alabama

Among the 25 schools offering psychology degrees, several stand out for their academic excellence and graduate outcomes:

1. Auburn University: Ranking #1 in Alabama and #170 nationally, Auburn boasts an impressive 81% graduation rate and produced 289 psychology graduates in 2021[1].
2. The University of Alabama: With 672 psychology graduates in 2021, it ranks #2 in the state and #225 nationally, featuring a 72% graduation rate[1].
3. Oakwood University: Despite its smaller size (29 graduates in 2021), Oakwood ranks #3 in Alabama and #443 nationally, with a favorable 10:1 student-faculty ratio[1].

These top institutions demonstrate Alabama’s commitment to quality psychology education, offering students a range of options from large public universities to smaller private colleges.

Admission and Enrollment Trends

On average, Alabama schools admit 76% of applicants to their 4-year institutions, slightly higher than the national average of 73%[1]. However, the enrollment rate of 23% is slightly lower than the national average of 26%, suggesting that admitted students in Alabama may be more selective in their final choice of institution[1].

The average freshman retention rate for Alabama schools is 71%, on par with the national average[1]. However, the overall graduation rate of 47% falls below the national average of 56%, indicating potential areas for improvement in student support and retention strategies[1].

Financial Considerations

The average net price for psychology programs in Alabama is $18,183, which is slightly higher than the national average of $17,524[1]. However, this figure varies significantly based on family income, with students from lower-income brackets generally paying less due to available financial aid.

For undergraduate programs, tuition costs range from $4,440 to $34,410 per year, with an average of $14,070[1]. Graduate programs see tuition costs between $4,464 and $22,500 annually, averaging $11,671[1]. These figures highlight the importance of considering financial aid options when choosing a program.

Career Prospects and Specializations

Alabama’s psychology programs offer a diverse range of specializations, including clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology. The state produced 2,064 bachelor’s graduates, 1,215 master’s graduates, and 92 doctorate graduates in 2021, indicating strong career prospects across various levels of education[1].

Notably, social work emerges as a popular field within psychology education in Alabama, with 540 bachelor’s and 603 master’s graduates in 2021[1]. This trend suggests a strong demand for mental health professionals in community and clinical settings throughout the state.

Alabama’s psychology education landscape offers a blend of quality programs, diverse specializations, and varying institutional sizes to suit different student needs. While the state boasts strong admission rates and some top-ranking programs, there’s room for improvement in overall graduation rates and financial accessibility.

For prospective students, the key lies in carefully evaluating program offerings, financial aid options, and career goals when choosing a psychology program in Alabama. With a solid foundation in psychology education and a growing demand for mental health professionals, Alabama presents promising opportunities for those passionate about understanding the human mind and behavior.

Citations: [1] https://psychologyonlinedegrees.org/programs/alabama/

Psychology Programs Offered in Alabama

There are 99 undergraduate psychology programs offered by 25 different 4-year colleges, comprising 13 public and 12 private schools.

Additionally, psychology programs in Alabama produced 2,064 bachelor’s graduates, 1,215 master’s graduates and 92 doctorate graduates.

The table below details the programs offered and the total number of graduates in Alabama.

Psychology Graduates	BS	MA	PMC	PhD
Clinical Psychology	4	5	–	7
Counseling and Applied Psychology	28	217	12	28
Counseling Psychology	9	186	4	9
Educational Psychology	–	22	8	4
Experimental Psychology	–	3	–	–
Forensic Psychology	3	–	–	–
General Psychology	1,417	57	–	31
Industrial Organizational Psychology	1	2	–	–
Marriage and Family Therapy	–	13	–	–
Medical Psychology	11	–	–	7
Medical Social Work	–	41	–	–
Mental Health Counseling	–	63	–	–
Research Psychology	51	3	–	–
School Psychology	–	–	–	1
Social Work	540	603	–	5
Total Graduates	2,064	1,215	24	92

Credits Accepted for Alabama Schools

The types of academic credits available to Alabama students are varied and include:

• Dual enrollment
• Credit for life experiences
• Advanced placement (AP) credits

Psychology Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation in Alabama

On average, Alabama schools admitted 76% of students who applied to 4-year institutions. Of those who were offered admission, 23% enrolled.

The average freshman retention rate for Alabama schools is 71%, compared to 71% for all universities nationwide.

The overall graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities in Alabama is 47%, compared to 56% for all universities nationwide.

The top three schools in Alabama for highest graduation rate are Auburn University (81%), Samford University (79%), and The University of Alabama (72%).

The top three schools with the highest number of psychology graduates in Alabama are Troy University (888), The University of Alabama (672), and University of Alabama at Birmingham (330).

Region	Alabama	U.S.
Applied	7,598	8,766
Admitted	76%	73%
Enrolled	23%	26%
1st Year Return	71%	71%
Graduation	47%	56%

Student & Faculty Information in Alabama

In the fall of 2021, Alabama schools that offered psychology programs had an average of 74% full-time instructional or research faculty members and 26% part-time instructional faculty members.

The average student-to-faculty ratio for Alabama schools offering psychology programs is 15:1.

The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of full-time instructional and research faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio between Alabama and the United States as a whole:

Region	Alabama	U.S.
Full-Time Instructional	70%	56%
Full-Time Research	2%	6%
Part-Time Instructional	26%	35%
Student Faculty Ratio	15:1	15:1

Tuition and Student Expenses in Alabama

If you’re an undergraduate psychology student in Alabama, the average tuition you’ll pay depends on the institution you choose. Typically, tuition costs range from $4,440 to $34,410 per year, with an average of $14,070. In addition to tuition, you’ll also need to budget for books and supplies, which can cost between $300 and $2,300 annually, with an average of $1,305.

The three most affordable undergraduate psychology schools in Alabama are Alabama State University ($19,370), Auburn University at Montgomery ($20,390), and Jacksonville State University ($21,233). Meanwhile, the three most expensive institutions are the Samford University ($51,564), University of Mobile ($39,798), and Tuskegee University ($38,904).

As for prospective graduate psychology students, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs varies widely based on the school and program chosen. Graduate tuition costs between $4,464 and $22,500 per year, with an average of $11,671. However, most graduate programs also require additional fees, such as application fees, technology fees, and library fees, which can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In-state graduate fees typically range from $190 to $3,020, with an average of $1,004.

The three most affordable graduate psychology schools in Alabama are University of West Alabama ($6,868), University of North Alabama ($7,140), and Auburn University at Montgomery ($8,344). Meanwhile, the three most expensive graduate programs are Tuskegee University ($23,398), Samford University ($21,575), and Talladega College ($16,650).

If you’re curious about how Alabama schools stack up against national averages, you can compare average total expenses in the table below. Note that these figures don’t take into account financial aid, grants, loans, or scholarships. If you’re interested in that information, you can find it in the sections below.

Average Expenses for Psychology Schools	Alabama	U.S.
On Campus Room & Board	$9,330	$11,729
On-Campus Living Expenses	$4,461	$3,474
Total Living Expenses	$13,791	$15,203
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate	$14,070	$21,301
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate	$1,305	$1,254
Total Undergraduate Expenses	$29,166	$37,758
In-State, Graduate Tuition	$11,671	$14,479
In-State, Graduate Fees	$1,004	$1,155
Total Graduate Expenses	$12,675	$15,634

Cost to Attend, Financial Aid, Net Price in Alabama

Average Net Price

In Alabama, the cost to attend a college or university that offers psychology programs is a significant financial investment. The key term to know for college affordability is the net price.

The average net price for a college or university in Alabama that offers psychology programs is $18,183. This figure is calculated based on the most recent data provided by each institution to the US Department of Education.

Net price is determined by adding up the costs of tuition, room and board, living expenses, books, and supplies and then subtracting the average financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, received by federal financial aid recipients.

Financial	Alabama	U.S.
Cost to Attend	$29,166	$37,758
Average Financial Aid	$9,900	$13,984
Percent Receiving Aid	94%	90%
Net Price	$18,183	$17,524

Net Price by Family Income

Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend Alabama universities shown by family income bracket.

Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Average Net Price by Income	2020-2021	2021-2022
$0 – $30,000	$14,352	$13,267
$30,001 – $48,000	$15,434	$14,403
$48,001 – $75,000	$17,699	$16,710
$75,001 – $110,000	$19,244	$18,246
$110,001 and more	$19,831	$20,020

Additional Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in Alabama

Find information on each school’s ranking, number of graduates, net price, and graduation rate along with a link the school’s full 2025 report.

Rank	School	# of Graduates	Net Price	Graduation
#11	Jacksonville State University	119	$13,426	50%
#12	University of Montevallo	48	$17,207	52%
#13	Spring Hill College	23	$21,781	56%
#14	University of Mobile	21	$21,638	51%
#15	Tuskegee University	33	$36,907	57%
#16	Alabama A & M University	191	$12,921	28%
#17	Auburn University at Montgomery	56	$14,322	36%
#18	Alabama State University	72	$12,875	28%
#19	Faulkner University	83	$19,439	18%
#20	Talladega College	29	$13,163	25%

• Industrial Organizational Psychologists
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
• Psychology Teachers
• Forensic Psychologists
• School Psychologists
• Health Care Social Workers
• Social Workers
• Substance Abuse Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists