University of South Alabama vs. University of West Florida

Deciding between University of South Alabama and University of West Florida? 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 South Alabama
University of West Florida

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
  • University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
  • Setting
  • University of South Alabama Midsize City
  • University of West Florida Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of South Alabama 14,003
  • University of West Florida 14,822
  • Type
  • University of South Alabama Public 4 Year
  • University of West Florida Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of South Alabama #770
  • University of West Florida #738
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of South Alabama -
  • University of West Florida -
  • Status
  • University of South Alabama Non-profit
  • University of West Florida Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of South Alabama
  • University of West Florida

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of South Alabama $10,116
  • University of West Florida $6,360
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of South Alabama $19,092
  • University of West Florida $19,241
  • Room & Board
  • University of South Alabama $11,366
  • University of West Florida $12,432
  • Average Net Price
  • University of South Alabama $16,074
  • University of West Florida $10,092
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama $9,329
  • University of West Florida $9,595
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama 96%
  • University of West Florida 85%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of South Alabama Calculate
  • University of West Florida Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of South Alabama 12,982
  • University of West Florida 10,201
  • Admitted
  • University of South Alabama 9,212
  • University of West Florida 5,941
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of South Alabama 71%
  • University of West Florida 58.2%
  • Enrolled
  • University of South Alabama 21%
  • University of West Florida 26.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of South Alabama 1080
  • University of West Florida 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of South Alabama 23
  • University of West Florida 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of South Alabama 3.69
  • University of West Florida 3.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of South Alabama A-
  • University of West Florida A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of South Alabama Easy
  • University of West Florida Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of South Alabama Low
  • University of West Florida Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of South Alabama 20/26
  • University of West Florida 20/27
  • SAT Range
  • University of South Alabama 970/1190
  • University of West Florida 1020/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of South Alabama Test optional
  • University of West Florida Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027
  • University of West Florida Jun 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of South Alabama 19:1
  • University of West Florida 22:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of South Alabama
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Engineering (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • University of West Florida
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of South Alabama 39%
  • University of West Florida 48%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of South Alabama $45,200
  • University of West Florida $41,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of South Alabama 45%
  • University of West Florida 55%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of South Alabama $24,500
  • University of West Florida $18,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of South Alabama $253
  • University of West Florida $193

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of South Alabama 32%
  • University of West Florida 39%
  • % Women
  • University of South Alabama 68%
  • University of West Florida 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of South Alabama High
  • University of West Florida Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of South Alabama No
  • University of West Florida No
  • % White
  • University of South Alabama 59%
  • University of West Florida 65%
  • % Asian
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • University of West Florida 3%
  • % Black
  • University of South Alabama 24%
  • University of West Florida 13%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • University of West Florida 9%
  • % Native American
  • University of South Alabama 1%
  • University of West Florida 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of South Alabama 0%
  • University of West Florida 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • University of West Florida 5%
  • % International
  • University of South Alabama 5%
  • University of West Florida 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of South Alabama 2%
  • University of West Florida 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of South Alabama 72%
  • University of West Florida 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of South Alabama 26%
  • University of West Florida 11%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of West Florida is larger than University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (14,822 students vs. 14,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of South Alabama is located in Mobile, AL (Midsize City setting); University of West Florida is in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting).
  • University of South Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of West Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Alabama 19:1; University of West Florida 22:1.

University of South Alabama vs. University of West Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or University of West Florida? 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 West Florida than University of South Alabama ($10,092 vs. $16,074).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 8.6% lower than at University of West Florida ($11,366 vs. $12,432).
  • University of South Alabama is 59.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of West Florida (about $3,756 more per year; $10,116.00 vs. $6,360.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at University of West Florida than at University of South Alabama (about $149 more per year; $19,241.00 vs. $19,092.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Alabama than at University of West Florida (96% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Florida students is 2.9% larger than aid received by University of South Alabama students ($9,595 vs. $9,329).

University of South Alabama vs. University of West Florida Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama or University of West Florida? 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 West Florida and University of South Alabama.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of West Florida (1130) is 50 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1080).
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at University of West Florida (23).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 970/1190; University of West Florida 1020/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 20/26; University of West Florida 20/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Alabama - Test optional; University of West Florida - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027; University of West Florida Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at University of West Florida (3.6).
  • University of South Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than University of West Florida (58.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at University of South Alabama vs. 26.1% at University of West Florida.

University of South Alabama vs. University of West Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Alabama and University of West Florida? 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 West Florida's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of South Alabama's (39%).
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than University of West Florida graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of West Florida graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates ($18,750 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of West Florida graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Alabama graduates ($193 vs. $253).
  • More University of West Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.