Alabama vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Alabama vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Utah? 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 Utah than Alabama ($16,583 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 11.3% lower than at The University of Alabama ($13,315 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 26.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $2,560 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at Alabama than at University of Utah (about $3,312 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at University of Utah (80% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 37.3% larger than aid received by University of Utah students ($17,503 vs. $12,744).

Alabama vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is the same as at Utah (1290).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 26% at Utah.

Alabama vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($155 vs. $245).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.