University of South Alabama vs. Memphis

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

University of South Alabama Memphis
Location Mobile, AL Memphis, TN
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 13,438 21,917
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684 #883
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu memphis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Memphis
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $8,352
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $12,576
Room & Board $8,510 $10,126
Avg Net Price $15,664 $13,873
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $9,625
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

University of South Alabama Memphis
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 15,767
Admitted 8,203 14,916
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 94.6%
Enrolled % 19.7% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 17/24
SAT Range 1003/1200 930/1230
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama Memphis
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Memphis
Graduation Rate 39% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 37%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $25,250
Median Loan Payment $253 $261

Diversity

University of South Alabama Memphis
% Men 32% 40%
% Women 68% 60%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 50%
% Black 24% 37%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

University of South Alabama Memphis
% In-State 73% 81%
% Out-of-State 25% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Memphis is larger than than University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (21,917 students vs. 13,438 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Memphis?

  • University of South Alabama is 3.2% more expensive to attend than Memphis for in-state tuition ($8,616.00 vs. $8,352.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37% higher at University of South Alabama than University of Memphis ($17,232.00 vs. $12,576.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Memphis than University of South Alabama ($13,873 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 19% lower than costs at University of Memphis ($8,510 vs. $10,126)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Memphis than University of South Alabama (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Memphis students is 25.2% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($9,625 vs. $7,686)

University of South Alabama vs. Memphis Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 16 points higher than at Memphis (1029)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Memphis (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Memphis (3.48)
  • Memphis has a higher acceptance rate (94.6%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

University of South Alabama vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than University of Memphis (39% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $3,000 more per year than Memphis graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $42,200)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Memphis graduates. ($24,500 vs. $25,250)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Memphis graduates. ($253 vs. $261)
  • More University of South Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/