University of Alabama at Birmingham
#1 Best Biology Colleges in Alabama- Graduation Rate
- 63% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,501 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,749 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.6 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Biology Colleges in Alabama.
Every $1 spent returns $17.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,241,951.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Alabama at Birmingham Matters
University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public research university in Birmingham, AL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 11,635
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose University of Alabama at Birmingham
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1210–1450. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,749 a year after grants and scholarships — 9% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,501 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $22,300 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 32% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.33 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has an acceptance rate of 88%, making it accessible for a broad range of students. This statistic highlights the university's commitment to welcoming a diverse student body while maintaining a manageable enrollment of 11,635.
According to Opportunity Insights data, the economic mobility for students at UAB is promising, with a median earnings of $54,501 ten years after graduation. This suggests that graduates have the potential to improve their financial situations significantly over time, especially those who may come from lower-income backgrounds.
With a net price of $18,749 and a median debt of $22,300, UAB presents a financially viable option for students. Those who thrive here generally pursue popular programs like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Engineering. This combination of affordability and strong earning potential makes UAB an attractive choice for many.
Rankings
- #1 Best Biology Colleges in Alabama
- #3 Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
- #3 Best Master's Programs in Alabama
- #3 Best Computer Science Colleges in Alabama
- #3 Best Education Colleges in Alabama
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in Alabama
- #3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama
- #3 Best Data Science Colleges in Alabama
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Alabama at Birmingham is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Alabama at Birmingham? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Birmingham, Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,258. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1258
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1210–1450
- ACT Range
- 23–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 77%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,612
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 9,947
- Admitted
- 8,622
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Alabama at Birmingham is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 7% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 7%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 4%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 43%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 47% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Alabama at Birmingham? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Alabama at Birmingham is $22,562, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,749. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,172 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,300 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,098
- Out-of-State
- $22,562
- Avg Net Price
- $18,749
- Median Debt
- $22,300
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,172
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,500
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,161
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,597
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Alabama at Birmingham — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Alabama at Birmingham earn a median of $54,501, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,572
- 8 Years
- $51,431
- 10 Years
- $54,501
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (654)
- 38%
- 100% (654)
- 38%
- 100% (654)
- 38%
- 100% (654)
- 38%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Alabama at Birmingham delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,749/year ($74,996 total). Graduates earn $54,501 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,316,947 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,241,951 (17.6× your investment). The median debt is $22,300, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 63% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $74,996
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,316,947
- Net Return
- $1,241,951
- ROI Multiple
- 17.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,749
- Median Debt
- $22,300
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Alabama at Birmingham Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Alabama at Birmingham is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.89%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $74,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.89%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $101,355
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-519,999,976
Top Programs
The fields University of Alabama at Birmingham awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 21% $61,913 early-career
- Health Professions 19% $66,245 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 14% $32,345 early-career
- Psychology 9% $33,919 early-career
- Engineering 7% $83,715 early-career
- Education 6% $41,583 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $72,032 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $38,360 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Alabama at Birmingham's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Alabama at Birmingham? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Birmingham, Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,258. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Alabama at Birmingham? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Alabama at Birmingham is $22,562, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,749. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,172 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,300 in federal student loans.
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Alabama at Birmingham earn a median of $54,501, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Alabama at Birmingham Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Alabama at Birmingham is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.89%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $74,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Alabama at Birmingham? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Its economic connectedness score is 1.33, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Alabama at Birmingham offer Early Decision?
No. University of Alabama at Birmingham does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 47% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Alabama at Birmingham (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
About 7% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Alabama at Birmingham — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Alabama at Birmingham.
- Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN · Close peer54% grad $56,922 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · Close peer50% grad $53,040 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · Close peer63% grad $57,624 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · Close peer60% grad $55,874 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO · Close peer58% grad $49,827 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · Close peer47% grad $53,909 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Alabama at Birmingham? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Its economic connectedness score is 1.33, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note