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Downtown Florence Historic District croppedPhoto: themidnite (original), Yassie (derivative work · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Florence

Florence is home to University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama (6,668 students on campus) is inside the city. About 14% of Florence’s residents are enrolled in college, above Alabama (6%).

University of North Alabama

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Florence. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
10,037 students on campus
Nearest college
1.9 mi
University of North Alabama
Residents in college
14%
Above AL (6%)
Nearest community college
6.3 mi
Northwest Shoals · $5,131 tuition
Nearest public university
1.9 mi
University of North Alabama · $12,120 in-state
Median household income
$52K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Florence

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in FlorenceThe University of North Alabama has 6,668 students on campus in Florence, 55% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at University of North AlabamaLiving in Alabama, the University of North Alabama charges $12,120 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,320. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 6.3 miles awayNorthwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals: tuition and fees $5,131 a year for Alabama residents.Students are 14% of residentsAbove Alabama (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Florence

Both are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Florence.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of North AlabamaNorthwest ShoalsFlorence
University or collegeCommunity college
University of North AlabamaUniversity or college · Public · 6,668 on campus · In Florence87%admitted$12knet price55%graduate$45kearningsNorthwest Shoals Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,369 on campus · 6.3 mi · Muscle Shoals$3knet price39%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $5,131 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Florence’s median household income ($52,174) falls.

Northwest Shoals Community College6.3 mi · Muscle Shoals · sticker $11,340 · tuition $5,131$4,259a year
University of North AlabamaIn Florence · sticker $23,786$11,665a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Florence: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of North AlabamaNorthwest Shoals
University of North Alabama55% graduate$45k earnings$22k typical debt
Northwest Shoals Community College39% graduate$34k earnings$10k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Florence

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at University of North Alabama, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 22%Health professions 16%Education 9%Computer science 6%Parks & recreation 6%Visual & performing arts 5%Everything else 35%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing154 graduates a year
$75k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods136 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations104 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other75 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness65 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Research and Experimental Psychology59 graduates a year
$34k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services59 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Marketing56 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Florence

Is Florence a college town?

No. About 14 of every 100 Florence residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Alabama (6). The largest campus in the city, the University of North Alabama, has 6,668 students on campus.

What colleges are in Florence?

The University of North Alabama is inside the city. Northwest Shoals Community College is 6.3 miles away in Muscle Shoals.

What is the closest community college to Florence, and what does it cost?

Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, 6.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,131 a year for Alabama residents; the federal net price, $2,838, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of North Alabama cost if we live in Alabama?

Tuition and fees are $12,120 a year in-state and $22,320 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,741 (under $30,000 income) to $14,866 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Florence. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →