University of Alabama at Birmingham

Statistics

Rankings & Lists

School Says - General Information
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) continues to attract the best and brightest students from around Alabama, the nation, and 109 countries around the globe. The average ACT score of entering students continues to trend upward, currently at 24.3, consistently besting state and national averages.

UAB is a fully accredited research university and academic health center with an annual enrollment of more than 16,000 students. As the University has grown, so have its contributions to the state, the nation, and the world. UAB is committed to education, research, and service programs of excellent quality and far-reaching scope. In terms of federal research and development funding, UAB ranks twenty-sixth nationally and first in the state of Alabama, receiving more funding than all Alabama universities combined. In such an environment, undergraduate students can pursue a wide array of research opportunities and gain valuable experience that pays off later in graduate studies or career development.

School Says - Student Body
Part of the UAB experience is student life, consisting of a rich mix of academic organizations, honor clubs, social fraternities and sororities, volunteer groups, and activities ranging from intramural sports and SGA to supporting Blazer sports.With more than 150 campus organizations to keep students involved, UAB offers the chance to make lifelong friendships while assisting in the development of skills essential to leadership and teamwork.

The legacy of Coach Gene Bartow lives on in the arena that bears his name, where the men's basketball team has earned 13 post-season NCAA births (three times to the "Sweet 16"" and once to the "Elite Eight") and nine NIT appearances. This winning attitude drives scholar-athletes in six men's and ten women's sports, as cheerleaders, Golden Girls, the painted fans of "Gang Green," and the 150-member Marching Blazers Band cheer them on to victory.

School Says - Academics
Honors Programs
The UAB Honors Academy offers several special programs that present rare and valuable opportunities to explore knowledge from new angles, enriching the overall educational experience for future success. Students can take advantage of smaller class sizes, individual attention from faculty, and a community of like-minded, motivated students.

The University Honors Program concentrates the vast resources of a major research university in a small, liberal arts setting. Students participate in challenging interdisciplinary courses, honors seminars, independent research projects, extracurricular activities and community service.

The Science and Technology Honors Program offers students interested in a science or technology career the opportunity to work closely with world-renowned researchers. Students combine research experience with specialized courses in a scientifically focused learning community and can earn up to 12 hours of graduate credit toward a doctorate as an undergraduate.

The Global and Community Leadership Honors Program is designed to provide unique learning opportunities for students throughout their academic experience. Students will be able to participate in special honors courses relating to global and community issues, and in international and community learning experiences, with the objective of becoming prepared for leadership roles on a global, national, or local level.

The Experiential Learning Scholars Program offers students an undergraduate education that intentionally combines class work and applicable, real-life experiences. Students thoughtfully construct learning plans suited to their unique academic and career aspirations.

Qualified students interested in a career in medicine, optometry, or dentistry may be accepted to professional school at UAB before they even begin college through the Early Admission to Medical Professional Schools Program. Students enjoy specialty seminars, classes, and research opportunities.

School Says - Admissions
UAB is an equal educational opportunity institution. The requirements for regular admission for entering freshmen include minimum high school GPA of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale in core subjects; a minimum ACT score of 20 or SAT score of 950; and completion of no fewer than 17 core courses including four years of English, three years of social studies, three years of math (including algebra 1 and 2, geometry, and either algebra 3, pre-cal, trigonometry, AP calculus, or other senior college-preparatory math), three years of science (including two with lab components),one year of foreign language and three additional courses of the student's choice.

For tentative action, a transcript may be sent during the student's senior year in high school. A final transcript must be sent upon graduation.

An application may be submitted as early as one year prior to admission. A completed application, a nonrefundable $35 application fee ($30 for online U.S. applications), and all supporting documentation must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admission by the priority deadline for the term for which admission is requested. The application priority deadline for fall term is May 1. For an application and further information, students should contact:

UAB Undergraduate Admission
Hill University Center, Room 260
1530 3rd Avenue, South
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1150
United States
Phone: 205-934-8221
800-421-8473 (toll-free)
E-mail: undergradadmit@uab.edu
Web site: www.uab.edu/apply

School Says - Campus Life
The UAB campus offers the best of both worlds - the energy and opportunity of a big city nestled in the serene foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Cosmopolitan Birmingham is home to a thriving arts and culture scene, as well as a "knowledge economy," in which students have access to more than 3,000 internships, co-ops, and clinical activities a year, and more than 150 active student organizations.

Birmingham earned the name "The Magic City" during its first boom days. The expression still rings true as the metropolitan area continues to mirror UAB's phenomenal growth and reflects the many cultural opportunities available within the city. Birmingham is easily reached from major national routes (Interstates 20, 59, and 65) and UAB is only minutes away from the Birmingham International Airport.

School Says - Cost Aid
Enjoy the benefits of a world-class university at a fraction of the cost.

Tuition and fees shown are based on fall 2009 rates and a course load of 12 credit hours each semester (fall and spring). Because tuition and fees are billed per semester hour, the actual costs may vary.
Fall 2009 First-Year Freshman (estimated)
First-Year Freshman
In-State Out-of-State Tuition and Fees $5,144 $11,480
Books and Supplies $900 $900
Meal Plan $3,380 - $3,650 $3,380 - $3,650
Residence Hall $4,460 $4,460
Grand Total $14,024 - $14,294 $120,360 - $19,400UAB's financial aid package consists of loans, employment, and grants and scholarships, enabling students from all economic backgrounds to attend UAB. UAB offers a growing number of scholarships to provide support for eligible students who attend UAB. Newly admitted students are considered for all academic scholarships for which they are qualified. Awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Financial aid applications are available in early January for the following academic year, with a priority packaging deadline of March 1.

Students Say - Academics
University of Alabama at Birmingham is a refreshingly friendly public college, boasting a strong reputation in pre-health and science, plenty of personalized attention for undergraduate students, and a "faculty that really cares and want you to do your best." "Integrating culture, education, and 'real world' experience into a college degree," the school encourages students to pursue research, internships, or other opportunities by "working in the field they aspire to have a career in, whether it be art history, biomedical engineering, or medicine." A senior enthuses, "No matter what you want to do, the faculty and administration will see to it that you get the experience you want and need. Nothing is too big or off-limits; you can do it all here." Like faculty, UAB's "administration is very helpful and seems very focused on student satisfaction, personally and academically." A sophomore boasts, "I've eaten dinner with the family of several of my professors and the dean as well. Need I say more?"

Students Say - Campus Life
UAB has recently stepped up efforts to create a more dynamic campus atmosphere, with good results. A junior enthuses, "From the free movie showings, campus dining, volunteer activities, and cultural events, I find myself enjoying my college life." Other popular extracurricular pursuits include intramural sports, campus ministry, research, honors activities, campus jobs, and fraternities and sororities. In addition, UAB is an NCAA Division I school, so many students "love going to sporting events, such as the basketball and football games." Striking a balance between study and relaxation, UAB students "have far too much coursework to have major parties midweek; but on the weekends, no one is in the library, unless its finals week." But when you're ready to go out, "UAB is located close to downtown Birmingham and is right next to Five Points South and the Lakeview District, so nightlife is pretty easy to come across."

Students Say - Student Body
With diverse academic and extracurricular opportunities, UAB is a school that "fits most every type of person." As a result, the student body is "truly a great American melting pot of different cultures, religions, and races." "Students work together for the common goals of getting an education and understanding and appreciating the diversity of others," one student says. As the school's reputation grows in fields other than medicine and science, the campus demographics have also been changing. A senior elaborates, "UAB was once a commuter college with a med school but has since become a very undergraduate and non-medicine-student-friendly campus. Most students will be entering into some sort of health related profession, but a great number of students are theater, art, history, and psychology majors." No matter what your interests, "everyone tends to get along with each other, since there is always something to talk about-be it UAB sports or some of the current events on campus."

Other Schools To Consider Top Programs