Last Updated: September 2026
Alabama has four explicitly accelerated BSN options, plus Samford University’s longer Second Degree BSN. Accelerated nursing sequences take approximately 12–16 months; Samford’s five-semester sequence takes approximately 28 months.
Estimated nursing-sequence tuition ranges from $19,816 to $106,475, before required fees, prerequisite coursework and living expenses. These are current-rate estimates, not guaranteed university package prices; selected students in UAH or UNA apprenticeship opportunities may receive employer tuition support.
Alabama Nursing Programs at a Glance
| School | Est. Tuition | Duration | GPA | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
UAH Huntsville, AL | $19,816 | 12 months | 3.0 cumulative | Spring |
University of North Alabama Florence, AL | $21,000 | 15 months | 3.0 degree or prerequisites | May |
University of South Alabama Mobile / Fairhope, AL | $26,970 | 12 months | 3.0 prerequisites | January / mid-July |
University of Mobile Mobile, AL | $34,660 | ~16 months | 3.0 last 60 credits | January |
Samford University Birmingham, AL | $106,475 | ~28 months | 2.75 cumulative; 2.3 science | Fall |
How to Compare Alabama ABSN Programs
12-month pathways: UAH and South Alabama complete their nursing sequences in three consecutive semesters. Both require intensive clinical attendance.
Lower-residency format: UNA combines online theory with concentrated in-person clinical, skills and simulation weekends in Northwest Alabama. Study continues between campus and clinical sessions.
Apprenticeship opportunities: UAH and UNA offer selected students paid clinical experience, mentoring and employer-funded support. Coverage and work obligations depend on the sponsoring agreement.
January starts: South Alabama and University of Mobile begin cohorts in January. South Alabama also offers a mid-July start.
Without a completed bachelor’s degree: University of Mobile has an applicable first-degree/transfer pathway for eligible students age 23 or older with 62 college credits, including required core coursework.
Longer Second Degree BSN: Samford follows five fall/spring semesters over approximately 28 months. Its calendar differs from the continuous-term accelerated options.
Program Format and Attendance
UAH: Campus instruction and apprenticeship clinical attendance follow a spring, summer and fall sequence.
South Alabama: Campus and clinical attendance use an accelerated calendar with January and mid-July entry, including Mobile and Fairhope/Baldwin County locations.
UNA: Online theory combines with Northwest Alabama clinical, skills and simulation sessions, generally two weekends per month, Friday–Sunday with an occasional Thursday. Full-time preparation continues between sessions.
University of Mobile: Campus classes and local clinicals continue through spring, summer, fall and the following spring after January entry.
Samford: The Second Degree BSN follows a traditional fall/spring calendar with campus instruction, simulation and Birmingham-area clinical experiences. No summer nursing semester appears in the published plan.
Apprenticeship Options
UAH: Selected apprentices may receive paid clinical experience, individual nurse mentoring and employer-funded Last Dollar tuition support. UAH advertises placement after successful completion and NCLEX-RN passage; coverage, work obligations and repayment conditions depend on the employer agreement.
UNA: Selected apprentices may receive paid clinical hours, mentoring and employer support for tuition, books and supplies. UNA describes a two-year sponsoring-hospital work agreement.
Participation depends on selection and employer availability. Tuition estimates are before apprenticeship support or other aid, and employer support does not automatically cover every fee or living expense.
Admissions and Prerequisite Differences
Minimum GPAs measure different coursework at each school. Meeting a published minimum does not guarantee admission.
| School | Minimum GPA | Key Admission Detail |
|---|---|---|
3.0 cumulative | In-person ATI TEAS; competitive score | |
3.0 | First degree or completed prerequisites; admission assessment | |
3.0 prerequisite | Based on 26 required prerequisite credits | |
3.0 | Last 60 credits under pathway-specific requirements | |
2.75 cumulative | 2.3 science GPA + ATI TEAS |
Prerequisite lists differ. UAH requires 18 credits, including NUR 220, and does not accept remotely proctored TEAS tests. UNA lists 34 prerequisite credits, including nursing concepts, pathophysiology and nutrition, with no prerequisite time limit.
South Alabama’s 3.0 prerequisite GPA is separate from the university’s 2.0 good-standing standard. Its 26 prerequisite credits may be in progress when applying but must be complete before entry. Compliance documentation uses Complio.
Mobile offers two eligibility routes. Second-degree applicants complete 15 prerequisite credits; eligible first-degree/transfer applicants age 23 or older complete 62 college credits including university core requirements. Both pathway-specific sections list 3.0 on the last 60 credits.
Samford requires ATI TEAS scores of 72% overall and at least 58.7% in each area. Required sciences must be completed within seven years, online science labs are not accepted, and science-repeat limits apply. Biblical Foundations and other general-education requirements are subject to transfer evaluation.
UAH, UNA, South Alabama and Samford’s second-degree pathways require a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The linked profiles provide complete prerequisite lists, minimum course grades and application requirements.
Start Dates and Application Deadlines
| School | Start | Application timing |
|---|---|---|
Spring | March 1–August 1 in the year before the spring start | |
May intercession | February 1–March 1; decisions by April 1 | |
January; mid-July | July 15 for January entry; March 15 for mid-July entry | |
January | Rolling admission until the cohort fills | |
Fall | June 1 deadline |
UAH’s application window falls in the preceding calendar year, while South Alabama has a separate deadline for each of its two starts. Mobile’s rolling process closes when the cohort fills rather than on a fixed annual date.
Tuition and Costs
The estimates apply current published 2026–27 rates to each program’s nursing sequence. They are calculated tuition estimates, not university-published package prices; actual charges may change with tuition increases, enrollment or transfer requirements. No future tuition increases are predicted.
| School | Tuition calculation | Additional costs to budget |
|---|---|---|
$6,918 + $6,918 + $5,980 for 21/21/19 credits = $19,816 | Approximately $5,368 in infrastructure and College of Nursing instructional fees, before course-specific fees | |
Four semesters at $5,250 for loads of 15/15/18/12 credits = $21,000 | Approximately $6,900 in college instructional fees, plus other applicable charges | |
62 professional-component credits × $435 = $26,970 | Applicable registration, compliance and other expenses | |
45 fall/spring credits × $580 + 16 summer credits × $535 = $34,660 | Nursing/course fees, comprehensive fees and other applicable charges | |
Five full-time semesters × $21,295 = $106,475 | University, nursing/program and course fees; prerequisites outside the five-term sequence |
Residency affects the three public-university estimates. At current nonresident rates, the corresponding estimates are $46,942 at UAH, $42,000 at UNA and $53,940 at South Alabama. UNA’s required in-person clinical attendance means its estimate does not assume that every nonresident qualifies for a fully online tuition rate.
Prerequisites, books, health-compliance requirements, clinical transportation, housing and living expenses are generally outside these tuition figures. The linked profiles explain each calculation and fee schedule, while financial aid and apprenticeship support can change the amount an individual student pays.
Clinical Training and NCLEX Outcomes
Clinical-hour figures describe different parts of the programs. A senior practicum is one component of clinical training, while laboratory and simulation hours should not automatically be counted as direct clinical hours.
UAH: 810 clinical hours with individual nurse mentoring and apprenticeship clinical experience.
UNA: In-person clinical, skills and simulation sessions cover adult health, mental health, maternity, pediatrics, population health, leadership and the senior practicum.
South Alabama: Specialty clinical courses lead to a 270-hour precepted practicum. Clinical assignments can exceed 20 hours per week and include weekdays or weekends; full-time and weekday employment is strongly discouraged.
University of Mobile: Local healthcare experiences accompany campus instruction and simulation through the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice.
Samford: 902 clinical hours plus 30 health-assessment laboratory hours. Clinical study spans foundations, behavioral health, maternal/newborn care, adult health, pediatrics, population health and transition to practice.
The Alabama Board of Nursing’s CY2025 report reports the following school-level BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. These figures do not isolate ABSN or Second Degree BSN cohorts and do not predict an individual student’s result.
| School | CY2025 BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate |
|---|---|
98.92% | |
96.90% | |
94.43% | |
94.74% | |
100% |
Alabama ABSN Program Summaries
1. University of Alabama in Huntsville ABSN Program
Huntsville | $19,816 | 12 Months
UAH’s full-time ABSN-APP runs three semesters over approximately 12 months. Selected apprentices receive paid clinical experience, mentoring and employer tuition support. The nursing sequence includes 61 credits and 810 clinical hours; admission requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA and an in-person TEAS... read more.
2. University of North Alabama ABSN
Florence | $21,000 | 15 Months
UNA’s 15-month ABSN combines online theory with required Northwest Alabama clinical, skills and simulation sessions, generally two weekends each month. Applicants need a 3.0 first-degree or prerequisite GPA. Eligible students may apply for apprenticeship support with a two-year employment agreement... read more.
3. University of South Alabama ABSN Program
Mobile | $26,970 | 12 Months
South Alabama’s Accelerated BSN completes 62 professional nursing credits in 12 months, with January and mid-July starts. Applicants need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 prerequisite GPA. The intensive schedule includes weekday and weekend clinical work and a 270-hour practicum... read more.
4. University of Mobile ABSN Program
Mobile | $34,660 | 16 Months
Mobile’s campus-based ABSN starts each January and spans four consecutive semesters. It offers second-degree and age-23-plus transfer routes in a Christian setting, with local clinical experiences and simulation through the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice. Pathway-specific admissions requirements list a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credits... read more.
5. Samford University Second Degree BSN Program
Birmingham | $106,475 | 28 Months
Samford’s current Second Degree BSN follows five fall/spring semesters over approximately 28 months. This is distinct from its historical 15-month accelerated program. The Birmingham pathway combines a Christ-centered nursing education with 902 clinical hours and 30 laboratory hours... read more.