Best nursing schools in Alabama: Largest to smallest

In Alabama, there is an exceptional range of nursing education programs available. Large public universities are an affordable way to obtain higher-level education with specific discounts for studying in-state or in-county. A bachelor’s or master’s degree from a public institution opens a vast range of nursing careers and often a higher pay bracket.

Community, vocational, or career colleges offer affordable certificates and associate’s degrees for those seeking a fast track to nursing career employment. Through these schools, a student can complete a licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate program within 12-18 months or a registered nurse (RN) associate's degree program within two years. Community colleges often offer night or weekend classes to accommodate different schedules.

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Private colleges offer a wide variety of traditional two-year and four-year nursing programs, with the added benefits of smaller class size and greater prestige. These small private colleges have limited enrollment and a more intimate learning environment; this often enhances the quality of education and provides better access to school resources. The heightened prestige of elite private colleges will help candidates gain employment with a simpler hiring process and a higher pay grade.

Whether you're considering large public universities, community colleges, or intimate private colleges, Alabama has a broad spectrum of nursing school programs available. To help aspiring nurses find the right school for them, we've compiled below a list of the best nursing schools in Alabama and ordered them from largest class size to smallest class size.