University of West Alabama vs. ATU

Deciding between University of West Alabama and Arkansas Tech University? 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.

Arkansas Tech University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of West Alabama Livingston, AL
  • ATU Russellville, AR
  • Setting
  • University of West Alabama Remote Rural
  • ATU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of West Alabama 6,820
  • ATU 8,746
  • Type
  • University of West Alabama Public 4 Year
  • ATU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of West Alabama #992
  • ATU #960
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of West Alabama -
  • ATU -
  • Status
  • University of West Alabama Non-profit
  • ATU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of West Alabama
  • ATU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of West Alabama $10,990
  • ATU $8,674
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of West Alabama $20,090
  • ATU $14,668
  • Room & Board
  • University of West Alabama $8,230
  • ATU $10,338
  • Average Net Price
  • University of West Alabama $13,954
  • ATU $12,626
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of West Alabama $9,037
  • ATU $9,901
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of West Alabama 93%
  • ATU 93%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of West Alabama 2,729
  • ATU 3,654
  • Admitted
  • University of West Alabama 1,164
  • ATU 3,504
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of West Alabama 42.7%
  • ATU 95.9%
  • Enrolled
  • University of West Alabama 33.4%
  • ATU 33.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of West Alabama 990
  • ATU 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of West Alabama 18
  • ATU 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of West Alabama 3.16
  • ATU 3.37
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of West Alabama B+
  • ATU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of West Alabama Extremely Easy
  • ATU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of West Alabama Low
  • ATU
  • ACT Range
  • University of West Alabama 16/21
  • ATU 17/23
  • SAT Range
  • University of West Alabama 860/1120
  • ATU 880/1100
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of West Alabama Test optional
  • ATU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027
  • ATU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of West Alabama 19:1
  • ATU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of West Alabama
    • Education (27%)
    • Health Professions (24%)
    • Business (14%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • ATU
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of West Alabama 28%
  • ATU 43%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of West Alabama $38,500
  • ATU $37,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of West Alabama 36%
  • ATU 51%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of West Alabama $26,489
  • ATU $17,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of West Alabama $273
  • ATU $183
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of West Alabama 26%
  • ATU 42%
  • % Women
  • University of West Alabama 74%
  • ATU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of West Alabama High
  • ATU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of West Alabama No
  • ATU No
  • % White
  • University of West Alabama 45%
  • ATU 76%
  • % Asian
  • University of West Alabama 0%
  • ATU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of West Alabama 40%
  • ATU 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of West Alabama 2%
  • ATU 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of West Alabama 0%
  • ATU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of West Alabama 0%
  • ATU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of West Alabama 2%
  • ATU 3%
  • % International
  • University of West Alabama 6%
  • ATU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of West Alabama 4%
  • ATU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of West Alabama 82%
  • ATU 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of West Alabama 13%
  • ATU 5%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of West Alabama Yes
  • ATU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of West Alabama No
  • ATU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of West Alabama Yes
  • ATU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of West Alabama No
  • ATU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of West Alabama Yes
  • ATU No

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 6,820 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Arkansas Tech University is in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting).
  • University of West Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of West Alabama 19:1; Arkansas Tech University 17:1.

University of West Alabama vs. ATU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or ATU? 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 Arkansas Tech University than University of West Alabama ($12,626 vs. $13,954).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 20.4% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($8,230 vs. $10,338).
  • University of West Alabama is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $2,316 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $8,674.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at University of West Alabama than at Arkansas Tech University (about $5,422 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $14,668.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama as at Arkansas Tech University (93% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 9.6% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($9,901 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. ATU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of West Alabama (990) is the same as at ATU (990).
  • Incoming ATU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; Arkansas Tech University 17/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; ATU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
  • ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 33.6% at ATU.

University of West Alabama vs. ATU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama and ATU? 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).

  • Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than University of West Alabama's (28%).
  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $8,739 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($17,750 vs. $26,489).
  • Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($183 vs. $273).
  • More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 36%)

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.