[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are more than 40 nursing programs in Alabama offering either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. This guide identifies the best schools, explains how to get your nursing license, and explores salary and job outlook.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep reading to find the right nursing school in Alabama for your career goals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Nursing Schools in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/best-adn-programs/”]ADN nursing programs[/hen-ui-link] in Alabama are at public community colleges, while BSN programs are available at public and private schools of all sizes. The best nursing program in Alabama for you matches your budget, goals, experience, and learning needs and preferences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Our Methodology[/hen-ui-text]: We use a [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing schools in Alabama, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Choose a Nursing Program in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first decision to make when choosing a nursing school in Alabama is whether you want a two-year ADN or a four-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]BSN degree[/hen-ui-link]. ADN programs are faster, more affordable, and easier to get into, while BSNs are more comprehensive and position you for more career opportunities or educational advancement.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other factors to consider include cost and financial aid, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate (which indicates how prepared students are to practice nursing), the program quality and acceptance rate, and the logistics of attending. If you plan to attend an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/online-nursing-programs-overview/”]online nursing school[/hen-ui-link] in Alabama, make sure you can get clinical placement in your community.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide only lists [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]accredited nursing schools[/hen-ui-link], since unaccredited schools are an unnecessary risk of your time and money.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Nurse in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At 87.5% the average NCLEX-RN pass rate for nursing schools in Alabama is above the national average of 86.6%.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Alabama is also a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-compact-states/”]Nurse Licensure Compact [/hen-ui-link](NLC) state, which means that once you graduate from a nursing program in Alabama, you can apply for a multistate license. Multistate licenses are valid in all 39 participating states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The state is experimenting with a nursing apprenticeship model, matching community college students with hospital work opportunities. This innovation gives students in participating nursing programs in Alabama valuable experience and a head start on job networking and building relationships with potential employers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Alabama is full of history, natural beauty, and delicious southern food. In addition to a low cost of living, the state is within driving distance to many beaches. It’s also close to New Orleans and northern Florida, giving you a variety of popular leisure options.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While salaries in Alabama are lower than national averages, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series” target=”_blank”]cost-of-living index is 87.9[/hen-ui-link], one of the lowest in the country. The average salary for a registered nurse (RN) is $61,920, compared to the national average of $82,750. Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Alabama earn an average annual $102,410, while the national average is $118,040, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Projected job growth rates for nurses in Alabama is slightly lower than the national rate. Between 2018 and 2028, RN jobs are [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/” target=”_blank”]projected to grow 10.2%[/hen-ui-link], slower than the national rate of 12.1%. The gap is wider for NP jobs, projected to grow 24.2% in Alabama and 28.2% nationally.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many Americans associate Montgomery and Birmingham with the Civil Rights Movement, and these cities honor their history.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Auburn, home of the Auburn Tigers, offers easy access to parks and recreational activities, including Chewacla State Park and Davis Arboretum. The Anniston — Oxford — Jacksonville area is home to one of the larger military bases, Fort McClellan, as well as Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center and Stringfellow Hospital.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Cities[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Top Paying Metropolitan Areas[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Salary for RNs[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Birmingham — Hoover[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$63,610[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Montgomery[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$63,210[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Auburn — Opelika[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$61,280[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Daphne — Fairhope — Foley[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$60,910[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Anniston — Oxford — Jacksonville[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$58,880[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]Source: BLS[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like all [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/”]states with RN requirements[/hen-ui-link], Alabama requires nurses to earn a nursing degree, pass the applicable national examination — NCLEX-RN for RNs, board certification examinations for [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] (APRNs) — and complete a criminal background check. Both RNs and APRNs renew their licenses every two years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Other Top Nursing Programs in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ columns-lg=”4″ gap=”md”][hen-ui-article-card title=”The Best Alabama Online Nurse Practitioner Programs and Requirements” href=”/state/alabama/nurse-practitioner-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Become RN Nurse in Alabama + Requirements & Licensing” href=”/state/alabama/nurse-licensing-requirements/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Top RN to MSN Programs in Alabama” href=”/state/alabama/msn-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Best Alabama Medical Assistant Programs & Online Training Options” href=”/state/alabama/medical-assistant-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”2 Best LPN to BSN Programs in Alabama” href=”/state/alabama/lpn-to-bsn-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Alabama[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much do nurses make in Alabama?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In Alabama, the average salary for an RN is $61,920 and the average NP salary is $102,410, according to BLS data from March 2022. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.salary.com/research/salary/listing/nurse-rn-salary/al” target=”_blank”]Salary.com[/hen-ui-link] shows an RN salary range of $62,940-$80,580, as of April 2022.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These are some of the lowest RN salaries in the country, but the [hen-ui-link href=”https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series” target=”_blank”]cost-of-living index[/hen-ui-link] in Alabama is also low at 87.9, compared to the national average of 100.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are nurses in demand in Alabama?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing is one of the fastest growing careers in Alabama, with an [hen-ui-link href=”http://www2.labor.alabama.gov/workforcedev/Alabama%20and%20Regional%20Data/Alabama/High%20Demand%20Fast%20Growing%20Declining%20Occupations.pdf” target=”_blank”]estimated 3,275[/hen-ui-link] average annual open jobs each year between 2016 and 2026. In January 2022, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2022/01/13/alabama-job-market-labor-shortages-expected-expand-2022/9084322002/” target=”_blank”]CEO of the Alabama Hospital Association said[/hen-ui-link] that the shortage is so acute, “If you’ve got a nurse who wants a job in Alabama, they will be able to get a job. From the perspective of people going into nursing, this is absolutely the employee market.”[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become an RN in Alabama?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes two years to earn an ADN or four years to earn a BSN. The state board of nursing does not include a finite timeline for issuing licenses, though an applicant with an unencumbered license from another state can receive a temporary permit in 72-96 hours.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How do I get a nursing license in Alabama?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have a nursing license from another state, you can apply for a license by endorsement. Otherwise, you must apply to the state board of nursing, hold an ADN or a BSN from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and get a criminal background check.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Find Nursing Programs in Other States[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34404,34461,34340″][/hen-ui-article-row]