Accredited nursing programs in Alabama
35 schools in Alabama have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 15 BSN, 21 ADN, 17 LPN, 11 MSN programs. 1 holds both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 12 of 15 listings are CCNE and 3 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 15
- 3 ACEN, 12 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 21
- 21 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 17
- 17 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 11
- 1 ACEN, 10 CCNE
Accredited schools in Alabama
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens State University | Athens | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Auburn University | Auburn | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Bevill State Community College | Jasper | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Bishop State Community College | Mobile | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Central Alabama Community College | Alexander City | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Chattahoochee Valley Community College | Phenix City | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Coastal Alabama Community College | Bay Minette | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Enterprise State Community College | Enterprise | Public | – | – | ACEN | – |
| Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | Dothan | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| H Councill Trenholm State Community College | Montgomery | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Herzing University-Birmingham | Birmingham | Private | – | ACEN | – | – |
| J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College | Huntsville | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Lurleen B Wallace Community College | Andalusia | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Northeast Alabama Community College | Rainsville | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Northwest Shoals Community College | Muscle Shoals | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Reid State Technical College | Evergreen | Public | – | – | ACEN | – |
| Samford University | Birmingham | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Snead State Community College | Boaz | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Southern Union State Community College | Wadley | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Troy University | Troy | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – | ACEN |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee | Private | ACEN | – | – | – |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Mobile | Mobile | Private | CCNE | ACEN | – | CCNE |
| University of North Alabama | Florence | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – | – |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
Programs with an ACEN note
ACEN publishes a note beside some listings. The wording below is ACEN’s own; open the listing for what it means for the program.
- Central Alabama Community College, ADN: Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Central Alabama Community College, LPN: Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Troy University, MSN: Focused Visit - Fall 2026 (from Nov 2025 Sub). ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Tuskegee University, BSN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
What accreditation means in Alabama
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Alabama board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Associate programs are the most common accredited level here, with 21. For bachelor’s degrees, 15 of 16 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (94%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Alabama are accredited?
We matched 35 Alabama schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 15 BSN, 21 ADN, 17 LPN, 11 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Alabama?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Alabama bachelor’s programs accredited?
15 of the 16 Alabama schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.