University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. U of A

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL with University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (56,365 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); University of Arizona is in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of Arizona 20:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. U of A Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or U of A? 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 U of A ($17,997 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 15.4% lower than at University of Arizona ($14,170 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 53.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $4,828 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.4% higher at U of A than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $19,716 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 25% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($13,776 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. U of A Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham or U of A? 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 U of A 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 U of A (1290).
• Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of Arizona 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of Arizona 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; U of A - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at U of A (3.48).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than U of A (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 18.4% at U of A.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. U of A Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($196 vs. $222).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.