re: Alabama academics

The plan for my child is that she goes to an in-state institution since we have a 529 for her already and we sorta pegged our monthly contributions to hit a number that is likely to be around the cost of tuition at UA in a decade and a half (and some change). Ideally UA because we're close and there are some additional benefits that would make it a better deal almost certainly unless the other in-state school is offering to write her big checks above and beyond total cost of attendance.

My opinion is that undergraduate is mostly replacement level education unless you have a specific, unique undergraduate program you or your child is eying for a career. I hope my child is the type that goes from UA crimson in undergraduate to Harvard crimson for graduate/doctoral to be quiet honest.

It is early days yet and they certainly become their own person with their own ideas in due time...