Non-Profit Private
Accredited ·
Birmingham, Alabama
51.9% Acceptance Rate
Birmingham-Southern College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
51.9%Acceptance Rate
3.72Avg GPA
1197Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$38,385Annual Cost
$59,481Grad Salary
22.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
51.9%
Avg GPA
3.72
Avg SAT
1197
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1340
ACT Middle 50%
21–27
Need-Based Aid
22.6% receive Pell
Birmingham-Southern College (BSC), founded in 1856 in Alabama, is a private liberal arts college with strengths in science, business, and the arts. It ranks for personalized education and undergraduate research opportunities.
The historic campus includes a planetarium, art galleries, and a newly renovated science center. Its 'Exploration Term' allows students to pursue immersive projects worldwide.
Birmingham-Southern College Acceptance Rate
Birmingham-Southern College is moderately selective — 51.9% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What BSC 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 — 51.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.72 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.52 – 3.71
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.27
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Birmingham-Southern College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Key Admission Dates
💡 The scholarship deadline (-) 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.
BSC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at BSC is 3.72. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.42 and 3.72? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.92–4.12.BSC 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.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.72 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.52 – 3.71
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.32 – 3.51
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.31
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Birmingham-Southern College (UNITID 100937) permanently closed May 31, 2024 after 168 years; affiliated with United Methodist Church; formerly NCAA Division III (Southern Athletic Association)
- 192-acre Birmingham campus sold to U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $126.5 million (May 2026); now operating as U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Birmingham-Southern (opened June 5, 2026)
- Closure caused by failure of Alabama state bridge-funding legislation; auditors had flagged "substantial doubt" about continued operations; final enrollment approximately 975 students at time of closure
- Former peer institutions for students seeking similar profiles: Samford University (Birmingham), Rhodes College (Memphis TN), Sewanee: University of the South (TN), Hendrix College (AR)
- 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 BSC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Birmingham-Southern College'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.
Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if BSC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into BSC Without SAT or ACT?
BSC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Birmingham-Southern College Average SAT Score: 1197
The average SAT score of admitted students at Birmingham-Southern College is 1197 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1197 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Birmingham-Southern College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1150, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at BSC. 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 | 620 | 570 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 625 | 580 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1197 | 1150 | 1340 |
Below 1150, you're behind most admitted students; at 1340 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 1200
Can I get into Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of BSC'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.
Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at BSC is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT English | 24 | 19 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 27 |
Can I get into Birmingham-Southern College with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of BSC's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 BSC.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for BSC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
BSC takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
This Institution Is Permanently Closed - Do Not Apply
Birmingham-Southern College ceased all academic operations on May 31, 2024, after 168 years. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close after a state bridge-funding bill failed in the Alabama House of Representatives. The college is not operating in any capacity - there are no programs, no enrollment, no admissions process, and no teach-out still in progress. The 192-acre campus was sold to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $126.5 million in May 2026 and now operates as the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Birmingham-Southern, which opened on June 5, 2026.
For Current Students Who Were Enrolled at Closure
Students who were enrolled when BSC closed in spring 2024 were assisted with transfers to other institutions at the time of closure. A small cohort of seniors completed final degree requirements online and through articulation agreements during summer 2024. If you have outstanding questions about your BSC academic records, contact your transfer institution or the SACSCOC accrediting body. Net proceeds from the campus sale are being directed to the former BSC endowment, which may eventually support scholarship initiatives - check bsc.edu/news for any announcements about post-closure programming.
For BSC Alumni Seeking Records
Former students and alumni needing transcripts, diplomas, or academic documentation should contact SACSCOC or the designated records custodian - BSC's final president Daniel Coleman indicated the institution is managing an orderly wind-down of administrative functions. Check bsc.edu for current contact information for records requests. Do not contact the Coast Guard Training Center directly for academic records; it has no institutional affiliation with the former college beyond sharing the physical campus.
For Students Who Were Considering BSC as a Peer Institution
Students looking for a comparable academic experience - Methodist-affiliated liberal arts, small residential setting, Birmingham Alabama location - may wish to consider Samford University (Birmingham), Rhodes College (Memphis), or Sewanee: The University of the South (Tennessee). All three draw from similar applicant pools and were part of the former Southern Athletic Association alongside BSC. Samford has specifically welcomed former BSC students and hosted a 2026 commencement celebration for BSC's Class of 2026 who completed degrees elsewhere.
Expert Insight:
Birmingham-Southern College is permanently closed as of May 31, 2024. Its campus is now a U.S. Coast Guard training facility. There is no admissions process, no enrollment, and no academic programs. Do not apply. Former students seeking transcripts should contact bsc.edu or their designated records custodian. No teach-out is ongoing.
BSC Profile
Full Name
Birmingham-Southern College (BSC)
City
Birmingham
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35254
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Is a BSC Degree Worth It?
BSC offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $64,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.84%.
How much does a degree from BSC Cost?
The sticker price is $38,385/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
22.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 67.4% take federal loans at BSC — file your FAFSA early and list BSC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a BSC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,481 — about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Birmingham-Southern College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Birmingham-Southern College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Birmingham-Southern College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
Degree Programs at BSC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About BSC Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Birmingham-Southern College run about $59,481 a year.
Birmingham-Southern College costs roughly $38,385 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Birmingham-Southern College's Pell Grant rate of 22.6% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 51.9%, Birmingham-Southern College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Birmingham-Southern College average a 3.72 GPA.
Birmingham-Southern College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.42 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.32, Birmingham-Southern College 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 Birmingham-Southern College — aim above 1197, ideally within the 1150–1340 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application fee is -. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is -. 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.