Alabama vs. Auburn

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Auburn University is in Auburn, AL (Small City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Auburn University 21:1.

Alabama vs. Auburn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Auburn? 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 The University of Alabama than Auburn ($22,559 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 9.7% lower than at Auburn University ($15,016 vs. $16,626).
• Auburn University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $710 more per year; $12,890.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Auburn than at The University of Alabama (about $750 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama as at Auburn University (80% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 61% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($17,503 vs. $10,872).

Alabama vs. Auburn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama or Auburn? 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 Auburn and Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 40 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Auburn University 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Auburn University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Auburn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Auburn Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Alabama (3.76).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 24.1% at Auburn.

Alabama vs. Auburn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and Auburn? 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 graduation rate at Alabama is the same as at Auburn University (66% vs. 66%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($222 vs. $245).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.