Alabama vs. ULM

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than ULM based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Alabama vs. ULM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or ULM? 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 Monroe than Alabama ($13,648 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 29.7% lower than at The University of Alabama ($10,554 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 32.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $2,990 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at Alabama than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $12,882 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at The University of Alabama (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 31.2% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students ($17,503 vs. $13,338).

Alabama vs. ULM Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 30 points higher than at ULM (1260).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; ULM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at ULM (3.53).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 35.1% at ULM.

Alabama vs. ULM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and ULM? 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 Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($206 vs. $245).
• More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 49%)

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.