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
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 88.4%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
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
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
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
⏳ 305 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 the admitted students at UAB is 3.82. This indicates extreme selectivity in admissions.
To have strong chances, you must aim for straight A's in all courses.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 4.02-4.22 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.52 and 3.82, then you need a high SAT or ACT score to compensate.
UAB GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Admissions at UAB utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.82, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
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
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- 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 Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UAB
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Alabama at Birmingham's verified institutional data
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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
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into UAB Without SAT or ACT?
University of Alabama at Birmingham considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Average SAT Score: 1251
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Alabama at Birmingham is 1251 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1251 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1251 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1400 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Alabama at Birmingham allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1130, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UAB. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
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 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1130 then you are below most of the admitted students at UAB and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1400 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
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?
With a 1400 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are good but the admission staff at UAB tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at UAB is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This score makes University of Alabama at Birmingham Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 26 on the ACT.
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?
A 30 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Alabama at Birmingham — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Alabama at Birmingham use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Alabama at Birmingham — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Alabama at Birmingham uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 30 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UAB
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UAB is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
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?
Getting into UAB can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. UAB offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at UAB is $55,700 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.45%.
How much does a degree from UAB Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham is $27,826. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Alabama at Birmingham is $17,727.
33.2% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 41 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to UAB and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of Alabama at Birmingham, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist UAB as your choice in the form.
How much does a UAB Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $54,501. An average UAB graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
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
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $54,501 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $27,826 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
33.2% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of University of Alabama at Birmingham is 88.4% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.82. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.52, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.52, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.42 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.82, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to University of Alabama at Birmingham is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1251 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1130–1400.
The application deadline for University of Alabama at Birmingham is May 15 for Rolling (Priority) applicants. The institution also offers Rolling Admissions, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee for University of Alabama at Birmingham is 40. Fee waivers may be available for eligible students.
The scholarship priority deadline is In-state: 2026/01/15; Out-of-state: 2026/05/01. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.