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The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · City · 33,227 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$22,420
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
74%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$59,221
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
77%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa is a premier public flagship institution renowned for its energetic campus culture, powerhouse Crimson Tide athletics, and one of the largest Greek life communities in the country. Academically, the university is anchored by standout programs in the Culverhouse College of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Communication and Information Sciences, with particular national acclaim for its public relations and accounting degrees. Student life offers an immersive, tradition-rich SEC experience complemented by extensive undergraduate research opportunities through its rigorous Honors College. UA also distinguishes itself through generous, highly competitive merit-based scholarship packages that attract a uniquely national student body, with more than half of its undergraduates hailing from outside Alabama.

Wikipedia:The University of Alabama is a public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. Established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831, the University of Alabama is the oldest and largest of the public universities in Alabama as well as the University of Alabama System. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".

Location
Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487-0100 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ATL · Atlanta
182 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$12,180$34,172
Housing & food (on campus)$15,016$15,016
Books & supplies$700$700
Cost of attendance$33,382$60,400
Average net price$22,420Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$34,172
In-state: $12,180
Housing & food (on campus)$15,016
Books & supplies$700
Cost of attendance$60,400
In-state: $33,382
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $22,420
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: afford.ua.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
The University of Alabama’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$36,724
Housing$10,000
Food$5,478
Books & supplies$700
Personal expenses$4,064
Transportation$3,354
Total published by the school$60,400
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$19,169
$30–48k
$19,884
$48–75k
$22,258
$75–110k
$25,658
$110k+
$26,729
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$16,895
Share of first-years who get one40%
Source: The University of Alabama's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
74%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
57%
Back for yr 2
89%
Transferred
18%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
73% graduated · 21% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$52,233
10 yrs after entry$59,221
Debt
Median at graduation$22,750
Monthly payment$241
Middle 50% owe$7.4k–$27k
90th percentile$34,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
77%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1285
R 590–690 · M 580–710
ACT midpoint
26
Comp 24–31 · E 23–33 · M 21–29
SAT middle 50%: 1170–1400
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at The University of Alabama: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: The University of Alabama's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If The University of Alabama asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 44%Women 56%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
19 : 1
Pell grant
18%
First-gen
23%
Family income
$66,733
Independent
14%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
7%
Race & ethnicity
White
71%
Hispanic
8%
Black
11%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Gymnastics
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$52,233
After 10 yrs
$59,221
Finance and Financial Management Services572
Marketing569
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing374
Psychology, General356
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication315
Business/Commerce, General281
Criminology253
Biology, General230
Accounting and Related Services226
Mechanical Engineering224
Political Science and Government200
Business Administration, Management and Operations199
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness186
Economics160
Public Health152
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services131
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.6B
Full-time faculty
79%
Faculty salary
$11,419/mo
Teaching spend
$9,728
per student
Federal loans
32%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$221M research spending · 235 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if The University of Alabama is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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