Alabama vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

Alabama vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or ASU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Alabama ($14,978 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 14.3% lower than at The University of Alabama ($12,868 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 60.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $4,601 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.5% higher at Alabama than at Appalachian State University (about $8,960 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at Appalachian State University (80% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 118.4% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($17,503 vs. $8,014).

Alabama vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama or ASU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ASU and Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 90 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Alabama (3.76).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 18.2% at ASU.

Alabama vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and ASU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($211 vs. $245).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.