University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (38,728 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); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($17,997 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 5.7% lower than at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($13,356 vs. $14,170).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 51.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $4,714 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at Tennessee than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $10,694 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 3.7% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($11,434 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 40 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More Tennessee 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.