University of Alabama at Birmingham (205-934-4011)
An urban university with about 16,000 students, the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees, and a medical school judged to be among the finest in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranked UAB's Dental School among the top 10 dental schools in the country in 1994, and the UAB School of Nursing among the best in the nation. The school moved into the top rank of Carnegie Foundation's classification of schools.

Samford University (205-726-2011)
Alabama's largest private university, Samford University has a 200 acre Georgian campus in Homewood. The 150-year-old school, with about 4,485 students offers graduate and undergraduate degrees within eight separate schools including the Cumberland School of Law. In a U.S. News & World Report study, Samford was ranked in the top 10 percent of the nation's regional universities; Money selected it the nation's 26th Best College Buy. Samford was named to the 1995 Templeton Honor Roll for Character Building Colleges; and it was selected to appear in America's 100 Best College Buys, 1997-98. Samford has also received national recognition as one of the most selective universities in America. Its Cumberland School of Law continuously ranks among the best.

Birmingham-Southern College (205-226-4600)
With 1,562 students, BSC is one of the finest liberal arts institutions in the South and the nation as a whole. The school offers degrees in 34 majors in the arts and sciences, as well as a master's degree in public and private management. It is particularly strong in premed. In 1995 Birmingham-Southern (226-4600) was ranked as one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges in America's Best Colleges Issue of U.S. News & World Report. It appeared in Peterson's Competitive Colleges and made the Templeton Honor Roll for Character Building Colleges. The Fiske Guide to Colleges ranked it among 300 of the best, most interesting colleges. Money Magazine named BSC one of America's 100 best college buys in its 1996 Money Guide. Success magazine singled out the school's Master of Arts in Public and Private Management in its listing of up and coming schools.

The University of Montevallo (205-665-6000)
The University of Montevallo is one of only a handful of state supported liberal arts colleges. It is located in the picturesque Shelby County town of Montevallo. With an enrollment of 3,175, the school has an excellent reputation for preparing students for careers in the arts, education, and business.

Miles College (205-923-8333)
Miles College is a historically black, four-year liberal arts institution. Enrollment in the spring of 1998 was about 1,346 students. Miles offers a law degree program, as does the Birmingham School of Law (340 students) which meets in the Jefferson County Courthouse.

Jefferson State Community College (205-853-1200 or 205-856-7734)
Jefferson State Community College has the second largest enrollment of any college in the Birmingham area with 6,723 students. The college makes affordable post-secondary education to traditional and non-traditional students. In addition to academic subjects, Jeff State offers vocational programs in nursing, secretarial science, mortuary science, computer science, and hospitality and the culinary arts. www.jeffstateonline.com

Bessemer State Technical College (205-428-6391)
Bessemer State Technical College (enrollment: 1,800) offers academic and vocational training in a two-year school environment. One innovative program offered at the school is the Automotive Service Educational Program, which is conducted in league with General Motors, Ford, and Toyota. The program offers students academics, automotive service training, and hands-on experience with area car dealers.

Lawson State Community College (205-925-2515)
Approximately 2,100 students get their training at Lawson State Community College, a two-year, state supported institution. Lawson State offers a full range of academic and vocational programs of study.

Bevel Sate (205- 648-3271)
Bevill State Community College (enrollment: 1,400)  is an accredited, comprehensive learning-centered institution dedicated to providing quality educational opportunities and services that enrich lives intellectually, culturally, and economically.

Southeastern Bible College (205-970-9200)
Equips students for Christian living and service worldwide, producing graduates that are biblically grounded, spiritually mature, and culturally relevant. Approximately 250 students prepare for positions in vocational and nonvocational ministry.

Wallace State (256- 352-8000)
Wallace State Community College is widely recognized for its tradition of excellence, comprehensive educational offerings and unique opportunities. Since 1966, Wallace State has provided students with quality, affordable education. Today, the college enrolls approximately 6,000 students and offers more than 50 programs of study in academic, health and technical programs in addition to an unlimited number of transfer options.