University of West Alabama vs. University of South Alabama

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

University of West Alabama University of South Alabama
Location Livingston, AL Mobile, AL
Setting Remote Rural Midsize City
Enrollment 5,860 13,438
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #684
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu southalabama.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama University of South Alabama
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $8,616
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $17,232
Room & Board $7,820 $8,510
Avg Net Price $13,786 $15,664
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $7,686
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 94%

Admission

University of West Alabama University of South Alabama
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 12,550
Admitted 2,156 8,203
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 65.4%
Enrolled % 14.4% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.69
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/21 20/26
SAT Range 880/980 1003/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama University of South Alabama
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama University of South Alabama
Graduation Rate 28% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $273 $253

Diversity

University of West Alabama University of South Alabama
% Men 25% 32%
% Women 75% 68%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 59%
% Black 40% 24%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

University of West Alabama University of South Alabama
% In-State 81% 73%
% Out-of-State 13% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 5,860 students)

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

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

  • University of West Alabama is 5.6% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.6% higher at University of West Alabama than University of South Alabama ($18,200.00 vs. $17,232.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of West Alabama than University of South Alabama ($13,786 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 8.8% lower than costs at University of South Alabama ($7,820 vs. $8,510)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than University of West Alabama (94% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 20.9% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($9,291 vs. $7,686)

University of West Alabama vs. University of South Alabama Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 115 points higher than at University of West Alabama (930)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of West Alabama (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
  • University of West Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

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

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

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than University of West Alabama (39% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $6,700 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $38,500)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $1,989 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($24,500 vs. $26,489)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($253 vs. $273)
  • More University of South Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 36%)

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