University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (49,622 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 Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or USF Main Campus? 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 Florida than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($11,579 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 1.9% lower than at University of South Florida ($14,170 vs. $14,440).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $2,688 more per year; $9,098.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of South Florida (about $5,238 more per year; $22,562.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of South Florida (90% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 3.5% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($11,025 vs. $10,652).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 100 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at USF Main Campus (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham and USF Main Campus? 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 Florida's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $100 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $2,353 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($19,147 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($197 vs. $222).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.