Is the University of Alabama worth the cost?

WVU without a doubt. Premeds need to have as little debt as possible, zero being ideal - if WVU allows you do that, go with it and feel proud.

Premed is an intention, not a major. You can major in anything - you could major in business and be premed. Being premed means handling basic intro classes for various majors and being top 10-20% in every single one of them. It means you’ll take 2 semesters each of biology, English, physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and one semester each of calculus, statistics, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, a diversity-focused class, and sometimes neuroscience or other science classes. Having fluency in a language spoken by immigrants (acquired through classes or clinic experience) can help. Being willing to serve underserved areas of your state can also help. (There are two excellent columns by Nicholas Kristof in the NYT this week -7/27, 7/29- about the challenges of health care, one at Wise VA and one in Texas, that as a potential health care professional you should read.)