University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL with University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (44,256 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); University of California San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or UCSD? 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 California San Diego than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($14,047 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 25.3% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,170 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 84.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $7,660 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.9% higher at UCSD than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $28,396 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of California San Diego (90% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 133.6% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($25,757 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 50 points higher than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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; University of California San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have the same average high school GPA (3.82) as students at UCSD (3.82).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($191 vs. $222).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.