The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, a southern hub of music, art, and culture. Students craving a quintessential college experience will enjoy an endless list of activities and attractions in Tuscaloosa, along with an energetic athletic scene.
Students interested in technology can visit the Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center, an institution designed to connect Tuscaloosa to the latest digital creations.
Nature enthusiasts can take a stroll along the Riverwalk, a two-mile path that follows the Black Warrior River and hosts various pop-up shops, cafes, and playgrounds.
On Saturdays, Tuscaloosa’s typical population nearly doubles as a result of Crimson Tide football fans flocking to watch a game at the Bryant-Denny Stadium – Roll Tide!
As much fun as there is to have in Tuscaloosa, UofA students can expect to work just as hard in their academics.
Read ahead to learn the profile of students who are accepted to the University of Alabama and learn about the types of programs and opportunities that attract the ideal UofA student.
University of Alabama Acceptance Rate
The University of Alabama (more popularly known as UofA) has a typical acceptance rate of around 80%. For the fall 2021 first-year class, the school accepted 78.9% of applicants and enrolled 22.7%.
The university enrolled its largest first-year class in history in the fall of 2021, making it the third year out of the last four years that UofA enrolled more than 38,000 students.
Alabama’s most recent freshman class entered with strong accolades – the group included over 280 National Merit Scholars, which is the highest number they have ever admitted in an incoming class in the school’s history
University of Alabama Out-of-State Acceptance Rate
While there is no historic data available on the University of Alabama’s out-of-state acceptance rate, they typically accept and enroll more out-of-state students than Alabama residents.
Currently, 42.1% of UofA’s students come from Alabama and 57.9% come from other states and 92 foreign countries.
In the fall of 2021, UofA enrolled 8% more in-state first-year students than it did in 2020, with 2,963 new in-state freshmen – this puts UofA’s most recent incoming class at 39% in-state and 61% out-of-state.
Alabama’s student population continues to become more diverse – minority students make up nearly one-quarter of the first-year class of 2021-2022.
GPA for University of Alabama
At the University of Alabama, students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 and above who do not submit at least one standardized test score are given conditional regular admission.
Once the Office of Admissions receives each student’s test score, they re-evaluate the student’s application and give one of the following admission decisions: regular admission, Crimson edge admission, or denied admission.
Crimson Edge is a student success program explicitly designed to help students transition to the University of Alabama.
Students who apply with a high school GPA between 2.0 and 2.99 and who do not submit at least one standardized test score are granted conditional admission into Crimson Edge. Any students admitted to Crimson Edge receive holistic support in their initial academic year.
Any students who are admitted to the University of Alabama on a conditional basis (without a test score) must submit their SAT or ACT score results no later than May 1.
There are several special programs at UofA that stipulate minimum GPA and standardized test score requirements.
The early admission policy allows high school juniors – who have exceptionally high grades (B+ or higher GPA), who score at least a 28 composite score on the ACT or a 1310 Superscore on the SAT, and who submit strong recommendations from their high school guidance counselor or principal – to be considered for admission to UofA without finishing their high school senior year.
The University Honors Program, Randall Research Scholars Program, and University Fellow Experience require a minimum GPA of 3.5.
UofA students must declare their major by the end of their sophomore year. Depending on the degree they wish to pursue, they will need to maintain specific GPA requirements. The English department, for example, requires program majors to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
To be considered for regular admission to UofA’s graduate school, applicants must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, an overall 3.0 GPA in their last 60 semester hours, and a 3.0 GPA in their graduate program.
SAT & ACT Requirements for University of Alabama
Half of the applicants who are admitted to the University of Alabama submit an SAT Superscore between 1070 and 1330 or an ACT composite score between 23 and 31; for the 2021 incoming class, the average ACT composite was 26.1.
The special programs mentioned in the previous section also have minimum requirements for entry, and we’ll discuss them more at length here.
The University Honors Program aspires to develop students into becoming “creative and critical thinkers, ethical and empathetic citizens, and collaborative and inclusive leaders.” UHP students are required to complete certain classes and a UH Capstone Experience.
The UHP requires that in-state students meet one of the following two qualifications: (1) submit an ACT composite of at least 30 or an SAT Superscore of at least 1360, or (2) rank in the top 5% of their high school graduating class and submit an ACT composite of 28 or an SAT Superscore of 1310.
Out-of-state applicants must submit a minimum ACT composite of 30 or a minimum SAT Superscore of 1360.
The Randall Research Scholars Program is considered to be one of the top six most intriguing honors programs in the nation – it was the first university-wide undergraduate research program established in the United States.
Students in the program work alongside research professors and utilize top-notch technology to present scholarly research projects in a variety of academic disciplines. For students to gain admittance into the RRSP, they must have a minimum ACT composite of 30 or a minimum SAT Superscore of 1360.
The University Fellows Experience is another unique offering at UofA – this group of scholars is dedicated to community service and leadership.
In addition to showing evidence of leadership and initiative in their high school careers, hopeful candidates must submit a minimum ACT composite of 32 or a minimum SAT Superscore of 1420 to be considered for admission into the UFE.
Other Requirements and Admission Tips
The University of Alabama’s holistic admissions process includes both academic and non-academic criteria. Academic components include an applicant’s high school GPA, performance in core subject areas, academic honors, and standardized test scores (should a student choose to submit them).
SAT and ACT scores are optional – students who do not submit them will not be penalized in the application process. That being said, any students who are admitted to the UofA must submit scores for either the SAT or ACT.
Non-academic admission criteria include components like leadership experience, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, employment, and non-academic honors. The University of Alabama asks students to expand upon these activities in the essay section of their applications.
Is the University of Alabama Right for You?
Tuition, scholarship availability, and program-related opportunities are several factors that students consider when deciding which college is best suited for them.
When room and board and other fees are added to tuition costs, in-state students end up paying just over $25,000, and non-Alabama residents pay almost $45,000 per year.
There are two main ways students can qualify for scholarships under the University of Alabama’s test-optional admission policy: competitive scholarships and automatic merit scholarships.
Students who choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores are automatically eligible if they submit all application materials and supporting documents by January 15.
To be eligible for automatic merit scholarships, students must submit an official high school transcript and SAT or ACT score; additionally, they must submit all application materials and test scores by May 1.
Alabama is best known for its Culverhouse College of Business – nearly 10,000 UofA students are enrolled in the college, which was ranked 29th overall in 2021-2022 for U.S. public business schools. The College of Engineering is one of the first five universities in the nation to offer instruction in engineering.
The University of Alabama has it all: top-notch academic programs, a thriving city environment, a powerhouse athletic program, and seemingly endless opportunities for student research.
Students interested in business and leadership will find a particularly challenging and rewarding array of programs designed to propel their creativity.
