Birmingham Southern College vs. University of South Alabama

Should I go to Birmingham Southern College or University of South Alabama? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Birmingham Southern College 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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Birmingham Southern College vs. University of South Alabama comparison
Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama College 3 College 4
Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
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Overview

Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
Location Birmingham, AL Mobile, AL
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 975 13,438
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bsc.edu southalabama.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
Tuition (In State) $20,000 $8,616
Tuition (Out of State) $20,000 $17,232
Room & Board $14,000 $8,510
Avg Net Price $21,153 $15,664
Avg Grant Aid $14,163 $7,686
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,019 12,550
Admitted 1,726 8,203
Acceptance Rate 57.2% 65.4%
Enrolled % 14.1% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.69
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 22/29 20/26
SAT Range 1150/1280 1003/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • History (7%)
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
Graduation Rate 62% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,000 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,850 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $277 $253

Diversity

Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
% Men 53% 32%
% Women 47% 68%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 59%
% Black 11% 24%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Birmingham Southern College University of South Alabama
% In-State 55% 73%
% Out-of-State 44% 25%

Campus

Birmingham Southern College 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 Birmingham Southern College based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 975 students)

Birmingham Southern College vs. University of South Alabama Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Birmingham Southern College or University of South Alabama?

  • Birmingham Southern College is 132.1% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($20,000.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.1% higher at Birmingham Southern College than University of South Alabama ($20,000.00 vs. $17,232.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than Birmingham Southern College ($15,664 vs. $21,153)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 64.5% lower than costs at Birmingham Southern College ($8,510 vs. $14,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Birmingham Southern College than University of South Alabama (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Birmingham Southern College students is 84.3% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($14,163 vs. $7,686)

Birmingham Southern College vs. University of South Alabama Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Birmingham Southern College 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 Birmingham Southern College .

  • The average SAT score at Birmingham Southern College (1167) is 122 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming Birmingham Southern College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at University of South Alabama (23)
  • Accepted freshman Birmingham Southern College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of South Alabama (3.69)
  • University of South Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Birmingham Southern College (57.2%)

Birmingham Southern College vs. University of South Alabama Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Birmingham Southern College 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 Birmingham Southern College.

  • The graduation rate at Birmingham Southern College is higher than University of South Alabama (62% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Birmingham Southern College earn on average $5,800 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $45,200)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $2,350 lower median federal student loan debt than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($24,500 vs. $26,850)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($253 vs. $277)
  • More Birmingham Southern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 45%)

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