Alabama vs. Spelman

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Spelman College is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Spelman College 11:1.

Alabama vs. Spelman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Spelman? 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 Spelman ($22,559 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 17% lower than at Spelman College ($15,016 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 159.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $19,376 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Alabama than at Spelman College (about $2,616 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College than at The University of Alabama (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 64.9% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($17,503 vs. $10,614).

Alabama vs. Spelman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 80 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Spelman College 1108/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Spelman College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Spelman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Spelman (3.75).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 23.6% at Spelman.

Alabama vs. Spelman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and Spelman? 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Alabama graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($23,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Alabama graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 47%)

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.