Head-to-head · 2026
University of Alabama at Birmingham vs University of South Alabama
Compare average net price ($18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham; $17,648 at University of South Alabama), ROI score (7.27 vs 6.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,501 vs $49,379), and admissions selectivity (88.2% acceptance at University of Alabama at Birmingham; 71% at University of South Alabama) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.27 ✓ | 6.99 |
| Avg net price | $18,749 | $17,648 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $74,996 | $70,592 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,098 | $10,116 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,562 | $19,092 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,501 ✓ | $49,379 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.2% | 71% |
| Graduation rate | 64.2% ✓ | 52.7% |
| Retention rate | 80.1% ✓ | 75.7% |
| Median debt | $22,300 ✓ | $24,929 |
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 8,879 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1258 | 1147 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,172 | $12,657 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,500 | $13,265 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,161 | $16,277 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,805 ✓ | $23,252 |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,597 ✓ | $25,322 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 17.4% | 35.4% |
| Biology, General | 6.4% | 4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.5% | 2.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.9% | 5.3% |
| Psychology, General | 4% | 2.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.5% | 2.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.2% | 3.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.4% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Alabama reports the lower average net price by $1,101 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,404 difference over four years ($70,592 vs $74,996).
University of Alabama at Birmingham reports $5,122 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,501 vs $49,379). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 80.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham and 75.7% at University of South Alabama. Median federal debt among completers is $22,300 vs $24,929, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Alabama at Birmingham vs University of South Alabama, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Alabama is cheaper — average net price $17,648 per year vs $18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The annual difference of $1,101 adds up to about $4,404 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Alabama at Birmingham reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,501 vs $49,379 at University of South Alabama. The gap in the federal data is $5,122. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Alabama is more selective at 71% acceptance vs 88.2% at University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.