University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. University of South Alabama

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

University of Alabama at Birmingham University of South Alabama
Location Birmingham, AL Mobile, AL
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 21,639 13,438
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #427 #684
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uab.edu southalabama.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alabama at Birmingham University of South Alabama
Tuition (In State) $8,832 $8,616
Tuition (Out of State) $21,216 $17,232
Room & Board $13,120 $8,510
Avg Net Price $16,834 $15,664
Avg Grant Aid $11,142 $7,686
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 94%

Admission

University of Alabama at Birmingham University of South Alabama
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,947 12,550
Admitted 8,622 8,203
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 65.4%
Enrolled % 25.7% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.69
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/30 20/26
SAT Range 1200/1410 1003/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of Alabama at Birmingham University of South Alabama
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

University of Alabama at Birmingham University of South Alabama
% Men 37% 32%
% Women 63% 68%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 59%
% Black 25% 24%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

University of Alabama at Birmingham University of South Alabama
% In-State 82% 73%
% Out-of-State 16% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is larger than than University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (21,639 students vs. 13,438 students)

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?

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is 2.5% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($8,832.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.1% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than University of South Alabama ($21,216.00 vs. $17,232.00)
  • 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 ($15,664 vs. $16,834)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 54.2% lower than costs at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($8,510 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than University of Alabama at Birmingham (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 45% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($11,142 vs. $7,686)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. University of South Alabama Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1147) is 102 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of South Alabama (23)
  • 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 (86.7%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

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

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Alabama at Birmingham is higher than University of South Alabama (45% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham earn on average $1,200 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $45,200)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,500)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans 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/