Alabama vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than UL Lafayette based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 15,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Alabama vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or UL Lafayette? 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette than Alabama ($13,017 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 19.4% lower than at The University of Alabama ($12,108 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $1,762 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Alabama than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $10,026 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at The University of Alabama (91% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 48.8% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($17,503 vs. $11,762).

Alabama vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 110 points higher than at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at UL Lafayette).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

Alabama vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and UL Lafayette? 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($201 vs. $245).
• More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 55%)

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.