Alabama vs. ASU

Deciding between The University of Alabama and Arizona State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The University of Alabama
Arizona State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
  • ASU Tempe, AZ
  • Setting
  • Alabama Small City
  • ASU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Alabama 40,846
  • ASU 79,818
  • Type
  • Alabama Public 4 Year
  • ASU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Alabama #416
  • ASU #398
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Alabama -
  • ASU -
  • Status
  • Alabama Non-profit
  • ASU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Alabama
  • ASU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Alabama $12,180
  • ASU $12,223
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Alabama $34,172
  • ASU $33,139
  • Room & Board
  • Alabama $15,016
  • ASU $16,712
  • Average Net Price
  • Alabama $22,559
  • ASU $17,779
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Alabama $17,503
  • ASU $12,172
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Alabama 80%
  • ASU 89%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Alabama 56,795
  • ASU 70,928
  • Admitted
  • Alabama 43,531
  • ASU 63,756
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Alabama 76.6%
  • ASU 89.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Alabama 18.5%
  • ASU 22.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alabama 1290
  • ASU 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alabama 27
  • ASU 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Alabama 3.76
  • ASU 3.54
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Alabama A-
  • ASU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Alabama Very High
  • ASU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Alabama
  • ASU
  • ACT Range
  • Alabama 24/31
  • ASU 21/28
  • SAT Range
  • Alabama 1170/1400
  • ASU 1100/1320
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Alabama Test optional
  • ASU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Alabama May 1, 2027
  • ASU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Alabama 19:1
  • ASU 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Alabama
    • Business (29%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Work and Family Studies (7%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • ASU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Alabama 66%
  • ASU 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Alabama $49,900
  • ASU $52,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Alabama 59%
  • ASU 57%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Alabama $23,750
  • ASU $20,278
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Alabama $245
  • ASU $209

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Alabama 43%
  • ASU 52%
  • % Women
  • Alabama 57%
  • ASU 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Alabama Low
  • ASU High
  • HBCU
  • Alabama No
  • ASU No
  • % White
  • Alabama 78%
  • ASU 52%
  • % Asian
  • Alabama 1%
  • ASU 7%
  • % Black
  • Alabama 11%
  • ASU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Alabama 4%
  • ASU 19%
  • % Native American
  • Alabama 0%
  • ASU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Alabama 0%
  • ASU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Alabama 3%
  • ASU 4%
  • % International
  • Alabama 2%
  • ASU 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Alabama 0%
  • ASU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Alabama 40%
  • ASU 63%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Alabama 59%
  • ASU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Alabama Yes
  • ASU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Alabama No
  • ASU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Alabama Yes
  • ASU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Alabama Yes
  • ASU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Alabama Yes
  • ASU Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Arizona State University is larger than Alabama based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 40,846 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Arizona State University is in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting).
  • The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Arizona State University 18:1.

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 Arizona State University than Alabama ($17,779 vs. $22,559).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 10.1% lower than at Arizona State University ($15,016 vs. $16,712).
  • Arizona State University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $43 more per year; $12,223.00 vs. $12,180.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Alabama than at Arizona State University (about $1,033 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $33,139.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona State University than at The University of Alabama (89% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 43.8% larger than aid received by Arizona State University students ($17,503 vs. $12,172).

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 80 points higher than at ASU (1210).
  • 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; Arizona State University 1100/1320.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Arizona State University 21/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at ASU (3.54).
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Alabama (76.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 22.1% 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 Arizona State University's (57%).
  • Graduates from Arizona State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Arizona State University graduates have a $3,472 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($20,278 vs. $23,750).
  • Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($209 vs. $245).
  • More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.