Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Birmingham, Alabama
88.4% Acceptance Rate
University of Alabama at Birmingham — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.4%Acceptance Rate
3.82Avg GPA
1251Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$27,826Annual Cost
$54,501Grad Salary
33.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.4%
Avg GPA
3.82
Avg SAT
1251
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1130–1400
ACT Middle 50%
22–30
Avg Net Price
$17,727
Need-Based Aid
33.2% receive Pell
University of Alabama at Birmingham AL UAB stands as Alabama's premier urban research university and the state's largest employer, with its medical center ranked #1 regionally. The institution is particularly celebrated for its School of Medicine and leading programs in biomedical engineering and public health. With Carnegie R1 research status and over $600 million in annual research funding, UAB offers exceptional opportunities for student involvement in groundbreaking projects.\n\nThe modern campus features impressive facilities like the Collat School of Business building and a student recreation center with Olympic-quality swimming pools. Since its founding in 1969, UAB has rapidly ascended to rank among the top 150 national universities. The university's Blazer Athletics programs, particularly basketball, compete in Conference USA, while initiatives like the Blazing the Way scholarship program demonstrate UAB's commitment to accessibility and student success.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of Alabama at Birmingham is inclusive by design. 88.4% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 88.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.82 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.62 – 3.81
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.37
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Alabama at Birmingham Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Alabama at Birmingham follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of May 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 284 days left — Rolling (Priority)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UAB reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Rolling (Priority)
May 15
Rolling (Priority)
June 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (In-state: 2026/01/15; Out-of-state: 2026/05/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UAB GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UAB is 3.82. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.52 and 3.82, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.02–4.22.UAB GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.82 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.62 – 3.81
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.42 – 3.61
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.41
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- EMSAP (Early Medical/Dental/Optometry School Acceptance Program) requires official test scores (test-optional UAB admits are automatically ineligible), a 3.5+ GPA, and admission to UAB by Nov. 15 before the EMSAP application can be submitted; only ~36 medical, 6 dental, and 4 optometry interview slots are typically offered each year from 400+ applicants
- EMSAP is a genuine 4+4 program (4 years undergrad + 4 years professional school) - not an accelerated BS/MD; students must maintain a 3.60 overall/3.50 math-science GPA, with one allowed probation period before risking dismissal
- EMSAP students retain the right to apply to other medical/dental/optometry schools without losing their guaranteed UAB seat - an unusual flexibility most early-acceptance programs don't offer
- General UAB acceptance rate is cited around 87-89% across most sources, but EMSAP and similarly structured professional pipeline programs operate at a dramatically more selective tier with their own separate application and GPA requirements
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UAB
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Alabama at Birmingham's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UAB. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UAB Without SAT or ACT?
UAB considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Average SAT Score: 1251
Admitted students at University of Alabama at Birmingham average a 1251 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1251 — Slightly Competitive
A 1251 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1400 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Alabama at Birmingham allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1130? A retake is worth it at UAB. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 630 | 560 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 635 | 570 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1251 | 1130 | 1400 |
A score under 1130 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1400+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in UAB's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) ACT Requirements
UAB's admitted students average an ACT of 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
An average of 26 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 28 | 22 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 22 | 30 |
Can I get into University of Alabama at Birmingham with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of UAB's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, UAB weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UAB
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into UAB isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
If pre-med, pre-dental, or pre-optometry, decide on EMSAP before finalizing the UAB application - test-optional admits are automatically ineligible
UAB's Early Medical/Dental/Optometry School Acceptance Program (EMSAP) requires submitting official ACT/SAT scores (minimum 30 ACT/1360 SAT and 3.5 GPA, though the recent admitted average runs closer to 33 ACT/4.34 GPA) - students admitted to UAB through test-optional review are automatically ineligible for EMSAP, regardless of academic strength. A student even considering EMSAP should submit official test scores when applying to UAB, since opting out of testing closes this door permanently, not just temporarily.
Apply to UAB itself well before EMSAP's November 15 deadline - the sequencing is non-negotiable
EMSAP requires being admitted to UAB as a first-time freshman no later than Nov. 15 before the EMSAP application can even be submitted, and the EMSAP application itself includes a full personal statement, short essays, and two letters of recommendation reviewed for both academic metrics and "mission-match." A family targeting EMSAP should treat UAB's own application as a hard early-fall task, not something to leave until winter, since missing Nov. 15 forecloses EMSAP entirely for that cycle.
Understand that EMSAP is genuinely not an accelerated BS/MD - it's a 4+4 guarantee, not a shortcut
Unlike many BS/MD programs that compress timelines, EMSAP explicitly requires the full four years of undergraduate study before matriculating to UAB's medical, dental, or optometry school, and the program "frowns upon" students attempting to enter early; in rare cases, students who try to matriculate early must reapply through Regular Admissions instead. A student or family drawn to EMSAP specifically for time-savings should recalibrate: the actual benefit is admissions certainty and flexibility to explore any undergraduate major, not a faster path to the degree.
Maintain the EMSAP-specific GPA floor, which is stricter than general UAB academic standing
EMSAP students must maintain a 3.60 overall GPA and a 3.50 GPA specifically in math/science coursework - falling below either threshold triggers probation with one year to recover (and a student can only use this probation option once before risking dismissal from the program). A student in EMSAP should treat this dual GPA floor as the real academic bar throughout undergrad, since it's meaningfully higher than what's needed simply to remain in good standing at UAB generally.
Expert Insight:
EMSAP is explicitly described as not an entitlement - students judged by the medical school's admissions committee to have notable deficiencies in academic performance, clinical/volunteer experience, or moral character can be dismissed from the program even after years of good academic standing. Families should understand EMSAP guarantees a conditional pathway contingent on sustained performance and professionalism, not a locked-in seat regardless of trajectory.
UAB Profile
Full Name
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
City
Birmingham
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35294-0110
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UAB Degree Worth It?
At $27,826/year against a $54,501 median graduate salary, UAB is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $55,700, and graduates see a 3.45% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UAB Cost?
Listed tuition runs $27,826/year at UAB. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $17,727.
At UAB, 33.2% receive a Pell Grant and 41% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UAB on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UAB Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UAB graduates report a median income of $54,501, about 34% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Alabama at Birmingham. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 1213 | 26 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Alabama at Birmingham. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Alabama at Birmingham. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at UAB
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UAB Admissions
University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates earn a moderate median salary of $54,501/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Alabama at Birmingham is relatively affordable, around $27,826/year.
33.2% of University of Alabama at Birmingham students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Alabama at Birmingham's acceptance rate is 88.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 3.82, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.52 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.42 or below makes admission tougher at University of Alabama at Birmingham, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Alabama at Birmingham weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1251, and within the 1130–1400 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Alabama at Birmingham's deadline is May 15 (Rolling (Priority)). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University of Alabama at Birmingham charges an application fee of 40; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before In-state: 2026/01/15; Out-of-state: 2026/05/01. That's University of Alabama at Birmingham's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.