Alabama State vs. University of South Alabama

Should I go to Alabama State University or University of South Alabama? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alabama State or University of South Alabama is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alabama State University vs. University of South Alabama comparison
Alabama State University University of South Alabama College 3 College 4
Alabama State University University of South Alabama
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Overview

Alabama State University of South Alabama
Location Montgomery, AL Mobile, AL
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,870 13,768
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1010 #750
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alasu.edu southalabama.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alabama State University of South Alabama
Tuition (In State) $8,328 $8,976
Tuition (Out of State) $16,656 $17,952
Room & Board $7,690 $8,830
Avg Net Price $13,504 $13,613
Avg Grant Aid $10,971 $8,500
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 94%

Admission

Alabama State University of South Alabama
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,346 12,593
Admitted 5,113 8,247
Acceptance Rate 95.6% 65.5%
Enrolled % 18.6% 23.3%
Avg High School GPA 2.95 3.69
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 19/26
SAT Range 865/1069 1015/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2025 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Alabama State University of South Alabama
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Alabama State University of South Alabama
Graduation Rate 26% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,500 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 20% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $32,091 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $331 $253

Diversity

Alabama State University of South Alabama
% Men 4% 7%
% Women 10% 28%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 2% 59%
% Black 93% 24%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Alabama State University of South Alabama
% In-State 37% 73%
% Out-of-State 62% 26%

Campus

Alabama State University of South Alabama
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (13,768 students vs. 3,870 students)

Alabama State vs. University of South Alabama Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or University of South Alabama?

  • University of South Alabama is 7.8% more expensive to attend than Alabama State for in-state tuition ($8,976.00 vs. $8,328.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.8% higher at University of South Alabama than Alabama State University ($17,952.00 vs. $16,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alabama State University than University of South Alabama ($13,504 vs. $13,613)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 14.8% lower than costs at University of South Alabama ($7,690 vs. $8,830)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than Alabama State University (94% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 29.1% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($10,971 vs. $8,500)

Alabama State vs. University of South Alabama Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or University of South Alabama? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of South Alabama or Alabama State .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 201 points higher than at Alabama State (844)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Alabama State (18)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.74 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Alabama State (2.95)
  • Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

Alabama State vs. University of South Alabama Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alabama State or University of South Alabama? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of South Alabama and Alabama State.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than Alabama State University (39% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $15,700 more per year than Alabama State graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $29,500)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $7,591 lower median federal student loan debt than Alabama State graduates. ($24,500 vs. $32,091)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $78 less per month on federal student loans than Alabama State graduates. ($253 vs. $331)
  • More University of South Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 20%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/