Alabama vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than OSU based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Alabama vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or OSU? 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 Oregon State University than Alabama ($22,467 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 8.4% lower than at Oregon State University ($15,016 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $2,220 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at OSU than at The University of Alabama (about $4,018 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at The University of Alabama (90% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 55.9% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($17,503 vs. $11,230).

Alabama vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 20 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming Alabama students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at OSU (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; OSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 20.4% at OSU.

Alabama vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from Oregon State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oregon State University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, OSU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($242 vs. $245).
• More OSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.