Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Montgomery, Alabama
95.6% Acceptance Rate
Alabama State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
95.6%Acceptance Rate
2.95Avg GPA
977Avg SAT
18Avg ACT
$22,028Annual Cost
$34,502Grad Salary
72%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
95.6%
Avg GPA
2.95
Avg SAT
977
Avg ACT
18
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
865–1069
ACT Middle 50%
16–20
Avg Net Price
$13,889
Need-Based Aid
72% receive Pell
Alabama State University AL Alabama State University, established in 1867, is a distinguished HBCU known for its exceptional education and performing arts programs. The LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education maintains strong partnerships with local school systems, while the world-renowned ASU Hornets marching band has performed at multiple presidential inaugurations. The campus recently added a $25 million Health Sciences Building to support growing nursing and physical therapy programs.\n\nASU ranks in the top 10 HBCUs for affordability and hosts historic traditions like the Turkey Day Classic football game. The university's National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture preserves its important legacy in the civil rights movement. Recent campus improvements include smart classroom technology and innovative hybrid learning options through the ASU Connected initiative.
Alabama State University Acceptance Rate
Alabama State University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 95.6% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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 — 95.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.95 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.75 – 2.94
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.50
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Alabama State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Alabama State University is May 10 for Regular (Summer) applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 273 days left — Regular (Summer)
Regular (Summer)
May 10
Regular
July 30
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 15, 2026) 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.
Alabama State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Alabama State University is 2.95. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.15–3.35.Alabama State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.95 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.75 – 2.94
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.55 – 2.74
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.54
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- First-year admission requires no essay or letter of recommendation and is test-optional, with GPA and test scores (if submitted) driving decisions; priority deadlines are May 10 (Summer) and July 30 (Fall).
- ASU only directly offers Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering bachelor's degrees but maintains a dual-degree partnership with Auburn University and UAB for automatic admission into other engineering majors.
- The W.E.B. DuBois Honors Program has its own above-average performance criteria distinct from general admission requirements.
- ASU received a $38 million MacKenzie Scott donation in 2025 - the largest single gift in university history - following a $24.7 million 2021 federal grant for Montgomery-area college readiness.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Alabama State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Alabama State University'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.
Alabama State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Alabama State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Alabama State University Without SAT or ACT?
Alabama State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Alabama State University Average SAT Score: 977
The average SAT score of admitted students at Alabama State University is 977 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 977 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1069 SAT or 20 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Alabama State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 865, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Alabama State University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 476 | 421 | 531 |
| SAT Reading | 491 | 444 | 538 |
| SAT Composite | 977 | 865 | 1069 |
Below 865, you're behind most admitted students; at 1069 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Alabama State University with a 1050 SAT?
A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of Alabama State University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Alabama State University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Alabama State University is 18.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 18 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a real advantage.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 15 | 19 |
| ACT English | 18 | 15 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 16 | 20 |
Can I get into Alabama State University with a 20 ACT?
A 20 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Alabama State University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Alabama State University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Alabama State University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Alabama State University's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Use the Auburn/UAB dual-degree engineering partnership if you want an engineering major beyond ASU's two offerings
ASU only offers bachelor's degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering directly, but maintains a dual-degree partnership with Auburn University and UAB that gives qualified ASU students automatic admission into those partner engineering programs for majors ASU doesn't offer on its own. Students interested in engineering fields beyond Biomedical or Mechanical should ask admissions specifically about this dual-degree pathway during their first year, since it's a real automatic-admission guarantee rather than a standard competitive transfer application.
Apply to the W.E.B. DuBois Honors Program if you meet the above-average performance criteria
ASU's W.E.B. DuBois Honors Program is a distinct undergraduate track for students meeting specific above-average academic performance criteria, offering an enhanced experience within ASU's broader HBCU mission and history. Students should request the current specific GPA/test-score criteria directly from the Honors office when applying, since these thresholds are set at the program level and aren't published as part of ASU's general admission requirements.
Leverage the John L. Buskey Health Sciences Center's specialized facilities if pursuing rehabilitation or health sciences
ASU's 80,000-square-foot Health Sciences Center houses an interdisciplinary clinic, three therapeutic rehabilitation labs, a Gross Anatomy Lab, and a specialized Laboratory for the Analysis of Human Motion (LAHM) - genuinely advanced facilities for a university of ASU's size. Students interested in rehabilitation sciences, kinesiology, or pre-health tracks should ask specifically about hands-on access to LAHM and the rehabilitation labs during their program, since these facilities represent real research and clinical-training infrastructure worth highlighting in scholarship or graduate school applications.
Understand the 2025 MacKenzie Scott gift may be expanding scholarship or program capacity - ask directly what's changed
ASU received a $38 million donation from MacKenzie Scott in 2025, the largest single gift in the university's history, following a $24.7 million federal grant in 2021 for Montgomery-area college-readiness programs. Students should ask admissions and financial aid directly whether any new scholarship funds, program capacity, or facilities tied to this 2025 gift are relevant to their specific major or financial aid situation, since major gifts like this often fund new initiatives that aren't yet reflected in general marketing materials.
Expert Insight:
Because ASU's general admission is not selective (a 98%+ acceptance rate with no required essay or letter of recommendation for first-year applicants), families sometimes assume every academic track at ASU carries the same low-friction bar - but the Honors Program has real above-average performance criteria, and majors like Biomedical/Mechanical Engineering or programs tied to the Health Sciences Center may have their own specific academic expectations distinct from general admission. Treating ASU as uniformly low-bar across every program overlooks these real internal distinctions.
Alabama State University Profile
Full Name
Alabama State University
City
Montgomery
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
36104-0271
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Alabama State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Alabama State University 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $46,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.81%.
How much does a degree from Alabama State University Cost?
The sticker price is $22,028/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $13,889.
72% of students receive a Pell Grant and 77.8% take federal loans at Alabama State University. File your FAFSA early and list Alabama State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Alabama State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $34,502. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Alabama State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Alabama State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Alabama State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Alabama State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama State University Admissions
Median earnings for Alabama State University graduates sit around $34,502 a year.
At about $22,028 a year, Alabama State University is on the more affordable end.
With 72.0% of Alabama State University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Alabama State University is the key move.
At 95.6%, Alabama State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Alabama State University average a 2.95 GPA.
Alabama State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.65 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.55, Alabama State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Alabama State University — aim above 977, ideally within the 865–1069 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Alabama State University is May 10 for Regular (Summer) applicants.
The application fee is 30. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.