University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Spelman

Should I go to University of Alabama at Birmingham or Spelman College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Alabama at Birmingham or Spelman 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. Spelman College comparison
University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman College College 3 College 4
University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman College
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Overview

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
Location Birmingham, AL Atlanta, GA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 21,160 3,633
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #430 #324
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uab.edu spelman.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
Tuition (In State) $8,832 $26,915
Tuition (Out of State) $21,864 $26,915
Room & Board $13,590 $16,293
Avg Net Price $17,413 $37,403
Avg Grant Aid $11,333 $11,994
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 96%

Admission

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,919 10,610
Admitted 9,655 3,617
Acceptance Rate 88.4% 34.1%
Enrolled % 21.7% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.75
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 22/30 21/27
SAT Range 1130/1400 1060/1270
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • English and Literature (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
Graduation Rate 45% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $51,300
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $279

Diversity

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
% Men 15% 7%
% Women 26% 73%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 59% 0%
% Black 25% 96%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
% In-State 82% 21%
% Out-of-State 16% 78%

Campus

University of Alabama at Birmingham Spelman
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 Spelman based on total student enrollment (21,160 students vs. 3,633 students)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Spelman Cost Comparison

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

  • Spelman College is 204.7% more expensive to attend than University of Alabama at Birmingham for in-state tuition ($26,915.00 vs. $8,832.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.1% higher at Spelman than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($26,915.00 vs. $21,864.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alabama at Birmingham than Spelman ($17,413 vs. $37,403)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 19.9% lower than costs at Spelman College ($13,590 vs. $16,293)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spelman College than University of Alabama at Birmingham (96% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spelman College students is 5.8% larger than aid received University of Alabama at Birmingham ($11,994 vs. $11,333)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Spelman Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1147) is 132 points higher than at Spelman (1015)
  • Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Spelman (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Spelman (3.75)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Spelman (34.1%)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Spelman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Spelman? 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 Spelman and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The graduation rate at Spelman is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham (77% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Spelman College earn on average $4,900 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates after ten years. ($51,300 vs. $46,400)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Spelman graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Spelman graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 47%)

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