UA Huntsville vs. University of South Alabama

Should I go to University of Alabama at Huntsville or University of South Alabama? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UA Huntsville 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of Alabama at Huntsville vs. University of South Alabama comparison
University of Alabama at Huntsville University of South Alabama College 3 College 4
University of Alabama at Huntsville University of South Alabama
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UA Huntsville University of South Alabama
Location Huntsville, AL Mobile, AL
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 8,743 13,768
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #489 #750
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uah.edu southalabama.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UA Huntsville University of South Alabama
Tuition (In State) $10,120 $8,976
Tuition (Out of State) $23,012 $17,952
Room & Board $11,122 $8,830
Avg Net Price $19,847 $13,613
Avg Grant Aid $8,737 $8,500
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 94%

Admission

UA Huntsville University of South Alabama
Applied 6,074 12,593
Admitted 4,510 8,247
Acceptance Rate 74.3% 65.5%
Enrolled % 26.1% 23.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.69
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/31 19/26
SAT Range 1195/1440 1015/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2026

Academics

UA Huntsville University of South Alabama
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

UA Huntsville University of South Alabama
Graduation Rate 45% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $242 $253

Diversity

UA Huntsville University of South Alabama
% Men 12% 7%
% Women 10% 28%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 59%
% Black 12% 24%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

UA Huntsville University of South Alabama
% In-State 67% 73%
% Out-of-State 31% 26%

Campus

UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville based on total student enrollment (13,768 students vs. 8,743 students)

UA Huntsville vs. University of South Alabama Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Alabama at Huntsville is 12.7% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($10,120.00 vs. $8,976.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.2% higher at UA Huntsville than University of South Alabama ($23,012.00 vs. $17,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than UA Huntsville ($13,613 vs. $19,847)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 26% lower than costs at University of Alabama at Huntsville ($8,830 vs. $11,122)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Alabama at Huntsville than University of South Alabama (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Huntsville students is 2.8% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($8,737 vs. $8,500)

UA Huntsville vs. University of South Alabama Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville .

  • The average SAT score at University of Alabama at Huntsville (1221) is 176 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming UA Huntsville students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at University of South Alabama (23)
  • Accepted freshman UA Huntsville students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of South Alabama (3.69)
  • UA Huntsville has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

UA Huntsville vs. University of South Alabama Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville.

  • The graduation rate at UA Huntsville is higher than University of South Alabama (45% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of Alabama at Huntsville earn on average $5,300 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $45,200)
  • University of Alabama at Huntsville students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($23,500 vs. $24,500)
  • UA Huntsville graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($242 vs. $253)
  • More UA Huntsville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 45%)

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