University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Birmingham Southern College

Should I go to University of Alabama at Birmingham or Birmingham Southern College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Alabama at Birmingham or Birmingham Southern College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Birmingham Southern College comparison
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College College 3 College 4
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
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Overview

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
Location Birmingham, AL Birmingham, AL
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 21,160 731
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #430
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uab.edu bsc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
Tuition (In State) $8,832 $21,500
Tuition (Out of State) $21,864 $21,500
Room & Board $13,590 $14,300
Avg Net Price $17,413 $24,170
Avg Grant Aid $11,333 $14,223
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,919 3,987
Admitted 9,655 2,071
Acceptance Rate 88.4% 51.9%
Enrolled % 21.7% 7.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30 21/27
SAT Range 1130/1400 1150/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2026

Academics

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • History (7%)

Outcomes

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
Graduation Rate 45% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $26,850
Median Loan Payment $222 $277

Diversity

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
% Men 15% 2%
% Women 26% 0%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 79%
% Black 25% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
% In-State 82% 61%
% Out-of-State 16% 38%

Campus

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Southern College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is larger than than Birmingham Southern College based on total student enrollment (21,160 students vs. 731 students)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Birmingham Southern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Birmingham Southern College?

  • Birmingham Southern College is 143.4% more expensive to attend than University of Alabama at Birmingham for in-state tuition ($21,500.00 vs. $8,832.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.7% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than Birmingham Southern College ($21,864.00 vs. $21,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alabama at Birmingham than Birmingham Southern College ($17,413 vs. $24,170)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 5.2% lower than costs at Birmingham Southern College ($13,590 vs. $14,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Birmingham Southern College than University of Alabama at Birmingham (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Birmingham Southern College students is 25.5% larger than aid received University of Alabama at Birmingham ($14,223 vs. $11,333)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Birmingham Southern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Birmingham Southern College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Birmingham Southern College or University of Alabama at Birmingham .

  • The average SAT score at Birmingham Southern College (1167) is 20 points higher than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1147)
  • Incoming Birmingham Southern College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (25)
  • Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Birmingham Southern College (3.72)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Birmingham Southern College (51.9%)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Birmingham Southern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Birmingham Southern College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Birmingham Southern College and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The graduation rate at Birmingham Southern College is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham (62% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Birmingham Southern College earn on average $4,600 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $46,400)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate with a $5,350 lower median federal student loan debt than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,850)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($222 vs. $277)
  • More Birmingham Southern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/