University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (38,532 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 South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($17,997 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 4.5% lower than at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($13,534 vs. $14,170).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 39.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $3,590 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.4% higher at UofSC than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $13,410 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 54.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($11,025 vs. $7,139).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 60 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 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 South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.