Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Huntsville, Alabama
74.3% Acceptance Rate
University of Alabama in Huntsville — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
74.3%Acceptance Rate
3.81Avg GPA
1321Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$27,098Annual Cost
$61,767Grad Salary
22.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
74.3%
Avg GPA
3.81
Avg SAT
1321
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1195–1440
ACT Middle 50%
25–31
Avg Net Price
$19,880
Need-Based Aid
22.5% receive Pell
University of Alabama in Huntsville AL UAH is a space-grant university that excels in aerospace engineering and cybersecurity, benefiting from its close proximity to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Ranked #2 nationally for aerospace research funding by the NSF, UAH provides exceptional co-op opportunities with industry leaders like Blue Origin and SpaceX. The College of Engineering features a $40 million Propulsion Research Center among its cutting-edge facilities.\n\nFounded in 1950 to support America's space program, UAH maintains its innovative spirit through initiatives like the Systems Management and Production Center. The university consistently ranks among the South's top public institutions and boasts alumni who contributed to the Apollo program. Campus life is enhanced by Division II Charger Athletics and sustainability efforts that have earned UAH a STARS Gold rating.
University of Alabama in Huntsville Acceptance Rate
University of Alabama in Huntsville is moderately selective — 74.3% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What UAH University of Alabama Huntsville Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 74.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.81 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.61 – 3.80
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.36
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Alabama in Huntsville Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Alabama in Huntsville follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UAH University of Alabama Huntsville 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UAH University of Alabama Huntsville GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UAH University of Alabama Huntsville is 3.81. 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 3.51 and 3.81, 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 4.01–4.21.UAH University of Alabama Huntsville 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
3.81 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.61 – 3.80
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.41 – 3.60
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.40
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No essay or letter of recommendation required for general admission; test-optional, though admitted students who submit scores show a median SAT around 1310 and ACT around 28.
- JUMP! program allows undergraduates to begin graduate-level coursework before completing their bachelor's degree, accelerating time-to-degree for qualified students.
- Located in Huntsville, AL ("Rocket City"), with deep, named research and internship partnerships with NASA, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman; regional economic impact estimated at over $1 billion.
- Acceptance rate clusters between roughly 69% and 74% across recent cycles and sources; classified as a research university with very high research activity.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
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 UAH University of Alabama Huntsville
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Alabama in Huntsville'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 in Huntsville (UAH University of Alabama Huntsville) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UAH University of Alabama Huntsville — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UAH University of Alabama Huntsville Without SAT or ACT?
UAH University of Alabama Huntsville considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Alabama in Huntsville Average SAT Score: 1321
Admitted students at University of Alabama in Huntsville average a 1321 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1321 — Competitive
A 1321 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1440 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Alabama in Huntsville allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1195? A retake is worth it at UAH University of Alabama Huntsville — 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 | 670 | 600 | 740 |
| SAT Reading | 648 | 595 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1321 | 1195 | 1440 |
A score under 1195 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1440+ 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 1300
Can I get into University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH University of Alabama Huntsville) with a 1450 SAT?
At 1450, your SAT is squarely in UAH University of Alabama Huntsville'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 in Huntsville (UAH University of Alabama Huntsville) ACT Requirements
UAH University of Alabama Huntsville's admitted students average an ACT of 28.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 28 — Competitive
An average of 28 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 24 | 29 |
| ACT English | 29 | 24 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 25 | 31 |
Can I get into University of Alabama in Huntsville with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of UAH University of Alabama Huntsville'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, 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, UAH University of Alabama Huntsville weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UAH University of Alabama Huntsville
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UAH University of Alabama Huntsville takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the JUMP! program to plan ahead for ambitious students wanting to save time and money
UAH's JUMP! program allows undergraduates to begin taking graduate-level coursework while still completing their bachelor's degree - a concrete, named acceleration pathway, not generic "advanced coursework available" framing. Flag this specifically for high-achieving students interested in completing a master's degree faster or more affordably, and note it requires planning with an advisor well before senior year of undergrad.
Skip essay-prep time for general admission and redirect it toward research opportunities
UAH does not require or recommend a personal essay or statement for admission; the meaningful differentiator for ambitious applicants is hands-on undergraduate research access at a premier research institution with deep aerospace and defense ties. Encourage STEM-focused students to research specific UAH labs or centers (e.g., the Von Braun Center for Science and Innovation) to mention in scholarship essays or program-specific applications, rather than spending time on a general admission essay that isn't required.
Lean into UAH's specific NASA, Boeing, and Raytheon partnerships, not generic "great engineering school" framing
UAH's location in Huntsville - nicknamed the "Rocket City" for its role in the U.S. space program - translates into genuine internship pipelines with NASA, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, plus a regional economic impact estimated at over $1 billion tied to aerospace and defense. For engineering or aerospace-focused students, name these specific employer relationships rather than describing UAH generically as "good for STEM."
Calibrate test-score strategy to UAH's research-university selectivity, not its accessible overall acceptance rate
While UAH's overall acceptance rate runs around 69-74%, admitted students who submit scores show a notably strong profile (median SAT around 1310, ACT around 28) for a school at that acceptance level - meaning the typical admitted student is more academically prepared than the headline rate alone suggests. Set realistic expectations using the actual admitted-student score profile rather than assuming a ~70% acceptance rate signals low competitiveness.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume UAH's accessible overall acceptance rate (69-74%) means low rigor once enrolled - UAH is classified as a research university with very high research activity, and admitted-student test score profiles run notably higher than the acceptance rate alone might suggest, so students should be prepared for genuine academic intensity, particularly in engineering and STEM programs.
UAH University of Alabama Huntsville Profile
Full Name
University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH University of Alabama Huntsville)
City
Huntsville
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35899
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UAH University of Alabama Huntsville Degree Worth It?
Whether UAH University of Alabama Huntsville is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $58,700, and graduates see a 3.64% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UAH University of Alabama Huntsville Cost?
Listed tuition runs $27,098/year at UAH University of Alabama Huntsville; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $19,880.
At UAH University of Alabama Huntsville, 22.5% receive a Pell Grant and 33.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UAH University of Alabama Huntsville on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UAH University of Alabama Huntsville Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UAH University of Alabama Huntsville graduates report a median income of $61,767, about 52% 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 in Huntsville. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Alabama in Huntsville. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton, MA | 1321 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Alabama in Huntsville. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
Degree Programs at UAH University of Alabama Huntsville
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UAH University of Alabama Huntsville Admissions
University of Alabama in Huntsville graduates earn a moderate median salary of $61,767/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Alabama in Huntsville is relatively affordable, around $27,098/year.
22.5% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — University of Alabama in Huntsville skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of Alabama in Huntsville's acceptance rate is 74.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Alabama in Huntsville students is 3.81, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.51 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Alabama in Huntsville. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.41 or below makes admission tougher at University of Alabama in Huntsville, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
University of Alabama in Huntsville weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1321, and within the 1195–1440 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Alabama in Huntsville follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
University of Alabama in Huntsville charges an application fee of 40; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
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.