University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Penn State

Deciding between University of Alabama at Birmingham and Penn State Main Campus? 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 Alabama at Birmingham
Penn State Main Campus

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Midsize City
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 20,905
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Public 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham #420
  • Penn State #185
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham -
  • Penn State -
  • Status
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Non-profit
  • Penn State Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham uab.edu
  • Penn State psu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Penn State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $9,098
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $22,562
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & Board
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $14,170
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $17,997
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $11,025
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 90%
  • Penn State 37%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 11,379
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 10,034
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 88.2%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 20.1%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1330
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 26
  • Penn State 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 3.82
  • Penn State -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham A-
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Very High
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Penn State Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30
  • Penn State 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450
  • Penn State 1240/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027
  • Penn State

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 45%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $46,400
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 52%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $21,500
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham $222
  • Penn State $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 38%
  • Penn State 52%
  • % Women
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 62%
  • Penn State 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham High
  • Penn State Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham No
  • Penn State No
  • % White
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 59%
  • Penn State 69%
  • % Asian
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 6%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Black
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 25%
  • Penn State 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 3%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 4%
  • Penn State 3%
  • % International
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 2%
  • Penn State 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 1%
  • Penn State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 81%
  • Penn State 53%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham 16%
  • Penn State 40%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham No
  • Penn State Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham No
  • Penn State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham No
  • Penn State Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Details
  • Penn State Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (50,737 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); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Penn State? 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 Alabama at Birmingham than Penn State ($17,997 vs. $27,889).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 2.1% lower than at Penn State Main Campus ($14,170 vs. $14,474).
  • Penn State Main Campus is 126.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $11,546 more per year; $20,644.00 vs. $9,098.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 85.2% higher at Penn State than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $19,228 more per year; $41,790.00 vs. $22,562.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at Penn State Main Campus (90% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Main Campus students is 2.8% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($11,336 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Penn State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Penn State? 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 Penn State and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is the same as at Penn State (1330).
  • Incoming Penn State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; Penn State Main Campus 1240/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; Penn State Main Campus 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; Penn State - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027.
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Penn State (60.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham and Penn State? 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).

  • Penn State Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
  • Graduates from Penn State Main Campus earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have a $5,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State graduates ($222 vs. $277).
  • More Penn State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.