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The University of Alabama

Public

Tuscaloosa, AL

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The University of Alabama was founded in 1831 as the state's flagship university and holds R1 status, the highest federal classification for doctoral research activity. Known since 1913 by the nickname "the Capstone," it comprises 13 colleges and schools offering more than 200 degree programs. The university's National Merit Scholar enrollment ranks among the largest of any public university.

Admissions

Admit rate77%
SAT range1170–1400
ACT range24–31
Undergrads33,227
Yield (admits who enroll)19%
Next deadlineRolling admission

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$33,382
4-year grad rate74%
Median earnings, 10yr out$59,221

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against The University of Alabama's numbers?

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How The University of Alabama weighs your application

From The University of Alabama's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankConsidered
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresVery important
Application essayConsidered
RecommendationsConsidered
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityConsidered
Character/personal qualitiesConsidered
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workImportant
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what The University of Alabama weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans32%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out60%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$59,637/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Management Information Systems and Services$105,393/yr
Accounting and Related Services$87,621/yr
Business/Managerial Economics$86,114/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$85,020/yr
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$79,811/yr
Marketing$77,451/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$69,715/yr
Hospitality Administration/Management$53,180/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$68,227/yr
Communication and Media Studies$61,548/yr
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$55,894/yr
Journalism$55,043/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General$115,980/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$53,940/yr
Special Education and Teaching$50,763/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$49,007/yr
Engineering
Chemical Engineering$100,857/yr
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$98,943/yr
Mechanical Engineering$95,079/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$91,999/yr
Civil Engineering$87,685/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$44,278/yr
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies$65,674/yr
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General$57,205/yr
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services$57,002/yr
Apparel and Textiles$54,254/yr
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services$45,751/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$85,532/yr
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$56,071/yr
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$53,616/yr
Public Health$51,588/yr
History
History$50,213/yr
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice and Corrections$57,796/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$77,899/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General$56,945/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$52,619/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$49,900/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work$49,561/yr
Social Sciences
Political Science and Government$61,617/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$55,419/yr
Geography and Cartography$49,269/yr
Anthropology$35,701/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$60,546/yr
Dance$51,744/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$41,100/yr
Music$31,666/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity8,989
Typical room charge$6,100
Typical board charge$4,426

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsNot considered

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does The University of Alabama look for in applicants?

Per The University of Alabama's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, standardized test scores as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is The University of Alabama's acceptance rate?

The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL admits approximately 77% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for The University of Alabama?

Admitted students at The University of Alabama typically score between 1170–1400 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for The University of Alabama?

Admitted students at The University of Alabama typically score between 24–31 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does The University of Alabama cost?

The University of Alabama's total cost of attendance is reported at $33,382 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

Does The University of Alabama require students to live on campus?

No -- The University of Alabama doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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