University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (41,705 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); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or LSU? 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 LSU ($17,997 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 6.4% lower than at Louisiana State University ($14,170 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 31.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $2,856 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at LSU than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $6,069 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at Louisiana State University (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 27.8% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($14,094 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. LSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 70 points higher than at LSU (1260).
• Incoming LSU 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; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at LSU (3.77).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 23% at LSU.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Louisiana State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $600 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($20,900 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($216 vs. $222).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.