B
Private 4 Year

Birmingham Southern College Admission Requirements

Birmingham, Alabama

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Your chances of getting into Birmingham Southern College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

57.2%
Admission Difficulty for Birmingham Southern College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Birmingham Southern College is 57.2%.  Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in Alabama.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Birmingham Southern College and can you get accepted?

Birmingham Southern College is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,726 out of the 3,019 who applied were admitted.

Birmingham Southern College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.72. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Birmingham Southern College?

57% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Birmingham Southern College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.72 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1220 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Birmingham Southern College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.72

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Birmingham Southern College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Birmingham Southern College are to have around a 3.72 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Birmingham Southern College accepts 57% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Birmingham Southern College is 3.72 on the 4.0 scale. 30% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #6 in Alabama for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Birmingham Southern College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Birmingham Southern College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 30.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 20.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 9.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 7.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Birmingham Southern College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Birmingham Southern College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 14% of students submitted SAT scores and 50% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1150-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

14%
SAT Scores for Birmingham Southern College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 590
Math 25th Percentile 560
Composite 25th Percentile 1150
SAT Scores for Birmingham Southern College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 610
Composite 75th Percentile 1280
Average SAT Score 1220

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Birmingham Southern College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Birmingham Southern College is 1220 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1150-1280. Students who get into Birmingham Southern College score in the top 32 percent of all SAT test takers..  Birmingham Southern College ranks #5 in the state of Alabama for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1220 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Birmingham Southern College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1150 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1150, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1080, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Birmingham Southern College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1220 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1215, you have around a 57% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 72% chance of getting in.

Birmingham Southern College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >72%
1215 to 1280 Avg + 57%-72%
1150 to 1215 Avg - 41%-57%
1085 to 1150 Reach 27%-41%
Less than 1085 Low <27%
Calculate My Chances 

Birmingham Southern College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

50%
ACT Scores for Birmingham Southern College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 22
Math 25th Percentile 20
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Birmingham Southern College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Birmingham Southern College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Birmingham Southern College is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 29.  The school ranks #6 in Alabama for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

50 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Birmingham Southern College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Birmingham Southern College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Birmingham Southern College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 57% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 73% with a 29 ACT score.

Birmingham Southern College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >73%
25 to 29 Avg + 57%-73%
22 to 25 Avg - 43%-57%
19 to 22 Reach 31%-43%
Less than 19 Low <31%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

57% of Birmingham Southern College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Birmingham Southern College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 24%
Top 25% of class 57%
Top 50% of class 75%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Birmingham Southern College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,610 1,409 3,019
Accepted 915 811 1,726
Acceptance Rate 57% 58% 57%
Enrolled 102 142 244
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 18% 14%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Birmingham Southern College is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Birmingham Southern College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Birmingham Southern College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Birmingham Southern College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Birmingham Southern College is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.72 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1220 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1280 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 25 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Birmingham Southern College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=100937 IPEDS survey data for Birmingham Southern College.

Last updated February 24, 2024