University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL with Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or GVSU? 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 Grand Valley State University than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($17,198 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 18.5% lower than at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($11,550 vs. $14,170).
• Grand Valley State University is 66.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $6,042 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at Grand Valley State University (about $1,014 more per year; $22,562.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham as at Grand Valley State University (90% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 1.5% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($11,188 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 260 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at GVSU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at GVSU (3.65).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than GVSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Grand Valley State University'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 $1,800 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than GVSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GVSU graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.