University of Alabama at Birmingham: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Birmingham, Alabama · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- 11,119
- Applicants
- 10,474
- Admitted94%
- 2,519
- Enrolled
- 24%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access94% admittedRanked #137 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #146 (tie), Business Programs #129 (tie), Computer Science #155 (tie), Nursing #6 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of Alabama at Birmingham (see the source), read on 2026-09-14.
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Alabama at Birmingham against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham, Alabama that admits about 94% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $18,749 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 66% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 12.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Alabama at Birmingham admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 94%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1340 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,749 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Alabama at Birmingham?
63% of enrolled students at University of Alabama at Birmingham had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.82, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham with the other schools on your list
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What does University of Alabama at Birmingham weight in admissions?
University of Alabama at Birmingham reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Considered
1- Standardized test scores
Not Considered
15- Class rank
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores University of Alabama at Birmingham typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 637. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–30. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1250 |
| 50th percentile | 1340 |
| 75th percentile | 1420 |
| % submitting SAT | 5% |
| 25th percentile | 23 |
| 50th percentile | 26 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
| % submitting ACT | 47% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Fall 2027: optional only with a 3.5+ weighted GPA; below 3.5 scores required. Honors and early-acceptance programs require scores. Tests required for Fall 2028+.
- • Changing for 2027-2028 applicants: tests will be required.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Alabama at Birmingham's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 19% |
| Top 25% of class | 35% |
| Top 50% of class | 45% |
| % submitting class rank | 1% |
How much does University of Alabama at Birmingham actually cost?
Published tuition is $9,098 for in-state students and $22,562 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,170 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,749 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 34% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $11,970 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,820 |
| Room and board | $14,720 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,749 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 46% |
| Average need-based grant | $6,720 |
| Average merit award, no financial need734 first-year students received one | $13,683 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 49% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $25,957 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $40 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Alabama at Birmingham
| Notification date | 1-Aug |
| Reply deadline | No set date |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Alabama at Birmingham?
These predict outcomes at University of Alabama at Birmingham better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Alabama at Birmingham
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Alabama at Birmingham, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of Alabama at Birmingham confers roughly 1,453 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $84,228 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 362 | $84,228 |
| Biology, General | 248 | $55,561 |
| Psychology, General | 230 | $44,287 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 137 | $58,386 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 134 | $62,800 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 122 | $47,189 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 113 | $63,551 |
| Public Health | 107 | $49,049 |
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Alabama at Birmingham disclosed 148 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 12.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 26 violent offenses and 21 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
About 28% of undergraduates at University of Alabama at Birmingham live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for University of Alabama at Birmingham
Common questions parents ask about University of Alabama at Birmingham
What GPA do I need for University of Alabama at Birmingham?
63% of enrolled students at University of Alabama at Birmingham had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.82, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Alabama at Birmingham typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 637. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–30.
How much does University of Alabama at Birmingham actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Alabama at Birmingham after grants and scholarships is $18,749 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $9,098 and $22,562 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham realistic for my child?
University of Alabama at Birmingham admits 94% of applicants, so 610–740 SAT Math is target range and below 610 is a reach. Then check the $18,749 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
University of Alabama at Birmingham accepts about 94% of applicants out of roughly 11,119 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham test-optional?
Yes. University of Alabama at Birmingham is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered. Fall 2027: optional only with a 3.5+ weighted GPA; below 3.5 scores required. Honors and early-acceptance programs require scores. Tests required for Fall 2028+. That changes for the 2027-2028 cycle, when tests become required.
What is the graduation rate at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
About 66% of students at University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate within six years. 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Alabama at Birmingham look for in applicants?
University of Alabama at Birmingham rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama.
What are the most popular majors at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Alabama at Birmingham by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Psychology, General. The school awards about 1,453 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Alabama at Birmingham reported 148 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 12.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
At University of Alabama at Birmingham, 28% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Alabama at Birmingham, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers