University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. University of South Alabama

Deciding between University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of South 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
University of South Alabama

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
  • University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
  • Setting
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Midsize City
  • University of South Alabama Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 20,905
  • University of South Alabama 14,003
  • Type
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Public 4 Year
  • University of South Alabama Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham #420
  • University of South Alabama #770
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham -
  • University of South Alabama -
  • Status
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Non-profit
  • University of South Alabama Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • University of South Alabama

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $9,098
  • University of South Alabama $10,116
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $22,562
  • University of South Alabama $19,092
  • Room & Board
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $14,170
  • University of South Alabama $11,366
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $17,997
  • University of South Alabama $16,074
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $11,025
  • University of South Alabama $9,329
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 90%
  • University of South Alabama 96%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Calculate
  • University of South Alabama Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 11,379
  • University of South Alabama 12,982
  • Admitted
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 10,034
  • University of South Alabama 9,212
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 88.2%
  • University of South Alabama 71%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 20.1%
  • University of South Alabama 21%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1330
  • University of South Alabama 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 26
  • University of South Alabama 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 3.82
  • University of South Alabama 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham A-
  • University of South Alabama A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Very High
  • University of South Alabama Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • University of South Alabama Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30
  • University of South Alabama 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450
  • University of South Alabama 970/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Test optional
  • University of South Alabama Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027
  • University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1
  • University of South Alabama 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • University of South Alabama
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Engineering (6%)
    • Biology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 45%
  • University of South Alabama 39%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $46,400
  • University of South Alabama $45,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 52%
  • University of South Alabama 45%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $21,500
  • University of South Alabama $24,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $222
  • University of South Alabama $253

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 38%
  • University of South Alabama 32%
  • % Women
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 62%
  • University of South Alabama 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham High
  • University of South Alabama High
  • HBCU
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham No
  • University of South Alabama No
  • % White
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 59%
  • University of South Alabama 59%
  • % Asian
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 6%
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 25%
  • University of South Alabama 24%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 3%
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 0%
  • University of South Alabama 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 0%
  • University of South Alabama 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 4%
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • % International
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 2%
  • University of South Alabama 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1%
  • University of South Alabama 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 81%
  • University of South Alabama 72%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 16%
  • University of South Alabama 26%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Alabama at Birmingham is larger than University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (20,905 students vs. 14,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); University of South Alabama is in Mobile, AL (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of South Alabama 19:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. University of South Alabama Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or University of South 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 South Alabama than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($16,074 vs. $17,997).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 19.8% lower than at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($11,366 vs. $14,170).
  • University of South Alabama is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $1,018 more per year; $10,116.00 vs. $9,098.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of South Alabama (about $3,470 more per year; $22,562.00 vs. $19,092.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Alabama than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (96% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 18.2% larger than aid received by University of South Alabama students ($11,025 vs. $9,329).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. University of South Alabama Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 250 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1080).
  • Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at University of South Alabama).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of South Alabama 970/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of South Alabama 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; University of South Alabama - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at University of South Alabama (3.69).
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than University of South Alabama (71%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 21% at University of South Alabama.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. University of South Alabama Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than University of South Alabama's (39%).
  • Graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Alabama graduates ($222 vs. $253).
  • More University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 45%)

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.