Alabama vs. Birmingham Southern College

Should I go to The University of Alabama or Birmingham Southern College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alabama or Birmingham Southern College 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Tennessee Ole Miss Auburn LSU Georgia Clemson Kentucky Arkansas Florida Florida State OU University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama vs. Birmingham Southern College comparison
The University of Alabama Birmingham Southern College College 3 College 4
The University of Alabama Birmingham Southern College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
Location Tuscaloosa, AL Birmingham, AL
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 38,644 975
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #404
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ua.edu bsc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
Tuition (In State) $11,100 $20,000
Tuition (Out of State) $31,460 $20,000
Room & Board $14,426 $14,000
Avg Net Price $20,592 $21,153
Avg Grant Aid $15,683 $14,163
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 100%

Admission

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,072 3,019
Admitted 43,290 1,726
Acceptance Rate 80.1% 57.2%
Enrolled % 18.6% 14.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.76 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/31 22/29
SAT Range 1130/1410 1150/1280
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • History (7%)

Outcomes

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
Graduation Rate 66% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,750 $26,850
Median Loan Payment $245 $277

Diversity

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
% Men 43% 53%
% Women 57% 47%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 79%
% Black 11% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
% In-State 35% 55%
% Out-of-State 64% 44%

Campus

Alabama Birmingham Southern College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Alabama is larger than than Birmingham Southern College based on total student enrollment (38,644 students vs. 975 students)

Alabama vs. Birmingham Southern College Cost Comparison

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

  • Birmingham Southern College is 80.2% more expensive to attend than Alabama for in-state tuition ($20,000.00 vs. $11,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57.3% higher at Alabama than Birmingham Southern College ($31,460.00 vs. $20,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Alabama than Birmingham Southern College ($20,592 vs. $21,153)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Birmingham Southern College are 3% lower than costs at The University of Alabama ($14,000 vs. $14,426)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Birmingham Southern College than The University of Alabama (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 10.7% larger than aid received Birmingham Southern College ($15,683 vs. $14,163)

Alabama vs. Birmingham Southern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Alabama (1181) is 14 points higher than at Birmingham Southern College (1167)
  • Incoming Alabama students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Birmingham Southern College (26)
  • Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Birmingham Southern College (3.72)
  • Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (80.1%) than Birmingham Southern College (57.2%)

Alabama vs. Birmingham Southern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alabama or Birmingham Southern College? 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 Birmingham Southern College and Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Alabama is higher than Birmingham Southern College (66% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Birmingham Southern College earn on average $1,100 more per year than Alabama graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $49,900)
  • The University of Alabama students graduate with a $3,100 lower median federal student loan debt than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($23,750 vs. $26,850)
  • Alabama graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($245 vs. $277)
  • More Birmingham Southern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

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