University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Alabama at Birmingham is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (20,905 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or CofC? 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 Alabama at Birmingham than CofC ($17,997 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 1.1% lower than at College of Charleston ($14,170 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 42.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $3,880 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.7% higher at CofC than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $15,734 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 22.7% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($11,025 vs. $8,983).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham or CofC? 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 CofC and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 100 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming CofC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (3.82).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 11.9% at CofC.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham and CofC? 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham earn a median of about $200 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston and University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, College of Charleston and University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)

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.