University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Alabama

Deciding between University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
  • Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Setting
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Midsize City
  • Alabama Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 20,905
  • Alabama 40,846
  • Type
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Public 4 Year
  • Alabama Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham #420
  • Alabama #416
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham -
  • Alabama -
  • Status
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Non-profit
  • Alabama Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham uab.edu
  • Alabama ua.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Alabama
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $9,098
  • Alabama $12,180
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $22,562
  • Alabama $34,172
  • Room & Board
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $14,170
  • Alabama $15,016
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $17,997
  • Alabama $22,559
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $11,025
  • Alabama $17,503
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 90%
  • Alabama 80%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 11,379
  • Alabama 56,795
  • Admitted
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 10,034
  • Alabama 43,531
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 88.2%
  • Alabama 76.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 20.1%
  • Alabama 18.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1330
  • Alabama 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 26
  • Alabama 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 3.82
  • Alabama 3.76
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham A-
  • Alabama A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Very High
  • Alabama Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Alabama
  • ACT Range
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30
  • Alabama 24/31
  • SAT Range
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450
  • Alabama 1170/1400
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Test optional
  • Alabama Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027
  • Alabama May 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1
  • Alabama 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Alabama
    • Business (29%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Work and Family Studies (7%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 45%
  • Alabama 66%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $46,400
  • Alabama $49,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 52%
  • Alabama 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $21,500
  • Alabama $23,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $222
  • Alabama $245
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 38%
  • Alabama 43%
  • % Women
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 62%
  • Alabama 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham High
  • Alabama Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham No
  • Alabama No
  • % White
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 59%
  • Alabama 78%
  • % Asian
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 6%
  • Alabama 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 25%
  • Alabama 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 3%
  • Alabama 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 0%
  • Alabama 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 0%
  • Alabama 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 4%
  • Alabama 3%
  • % International
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 2%
  • Alabama 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1%
  • Alabama 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 81%
  • Alabama 40%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 16%
  • Alabama 59%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (40,846 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); The University of Alabama is in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting).
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; The University of Alabama 19:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Alabama Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Alabama? 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 Alabama ($17,997 vs. $22,559).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 5.6% lower than at The University of Alabama ($14,170 vs. $15,016).
  • The University of Alabama is 33.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $3,082 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $9,098.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.5% higher at Alabama than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $11,610 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $22,562.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at The University of Alabama (90% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 58.8% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($17,503 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Alabama Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 40 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
  • Incoming Alabama 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; The University of Alabama 1170/1400.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; The University of Alabama 24/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; Alabama - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; Alabama May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Alabama (3.76).
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Alabama (76.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 18.5% at Alabama.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Alabama Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The University of Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
  • Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,750).
  • Among borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($222 vs. $245).
  • More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.