Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Livingston, Alabama
87.1% Acceptance Rate
University of West Alabama — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.1%Acceptance Rate
3.16Avg GPA
1015Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$22,402Annual Cost
$44,232Grad Salary
54%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.1%
Avg GPA
3.16
Avg SAT
1015
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
820–978
ACT Middle 50%
17–22
Avg Net Price
$13,832
Need-Based Aid
54% receive Pell
The University of West Alabama, founded in 1835 in Livingston, is a public university that serves as an educational hub for rural west Alabama. UWA offers 60+ degree programs through five colleges, with strengths in education, business, and natural sciences. The university's 600-acre campus features historic buildings like Wallace Hall alongside modern facilities including the newly expanded Brock Hall for nursing and STEM programs. UWA maintains a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and is recognized for its affordability and online education options through UWA Online.
UWA's location in Alabama's Black Belt region provides unique opportunities for community development and rural healthcare initiatives. The Tigers compete in NCAA Division II athletics in the Gulf South Conference. The university operates the Alabama Center for the Arts in nearby Decatur and the Demopolis Higher Education Center. UWA's Julia Tutwiler Library houses significant collections on Alabama history and the Black Belt region. The campus's arboretum designation and outdoor classroom spaces support its environmental science programs.
University of West Alabama Acceptance Rate
University of West Alabama (UWA) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 87.1% 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 — 87.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.16 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.71
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
UWA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UWA is 3.16. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.86–3.16 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.36–3.56.UWA 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
3.16 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.76 – 2.95
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.75
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- UWA maintains separate application portals for on-campus undergraduate admission and UWA Online; confirm the correct one for your enrollment plan before applying.
- A new two-year Forestry Technology AAS launched Fall 2025, with an 8-credit internship and named employer partnerships (Enviva/Smurfit WestRock, Two Rivers Lumber, Alabama Forestry Commission) tied to the timber-rich Black Belt region.
- The Black Belt Teacher Corps scholarship offers up to $10,000 to junior/senior/Alt. A education majors, in exchange for a 2?3 year post-graduation service-teaching commitment in one of 24 named Black Belt/rural/high-needs Alabama counties.
- All initial-certification candidates must pass the edTPA portfolio assessment during their internship course as a hard degree requirement, with an 18-month submission window from registration.
- 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 UWA
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of West Alabama'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 West Alabama (UWA) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UWA is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UWA Without SAT or ACT?
UWA considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of West Alabama Average SAT Score: 1015
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of West Alabama is 1015 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1015 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (978 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of West Alabama allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 820, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UWA. 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 | 389 | 350 | 428 |
| SAT Reading | 510 | 470 | 550 |
| SAT Composite | 1015 | 820 | 978 |
Below 820, you're behind most admitted students; at 978 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 University of West Alabama (UWA) with a 1000 SAT?
A 1000 SAT puts you ahead of most of UWA'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.
University of West Alabama (UWA) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UWA is 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 18 | 16 | 20 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 17 | 22 |
Can I get into University of West Alabama with a 22 ACT?
A 22 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UWA'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 UWA.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UWA
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into UWA isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Use the Correct Portal for On-Campus vs. Online
UWA runs separate application systems for on-campus undergraduate admission versus UWA Online. If you're planning to mix formats - start online and move to campus, or vice versa - confirm with admissions which portal applies to your specific plan before submitting, since using the wrong one can delay processing of your file.
Name the Brand-New Forestry Technology AAS If You Want Natural Resources
UWA launched a two-year Forestry Technology associate degree in Fall 2025, built specifically around the timber-rich Black Belt region, with an 8-credit-hour internship and named employer partnerships (Enviva/Smurfit WestRock, Two Rivers Lumber, the Alabama Forestry Commission). UWA is also the exclusive host site in that part of the state for the Alabama Certified Burn Manager certification course. If you're interested in forestry or natural resources, name this specific program and its Society of American Foresters exam pathway - it's new enough that generic "environmental science" advising won't surface it.
Apply Early for the Black Belt Teacher Corps Scholarship, Eyes Open on the Commitment
This program awards up to $10,000 ($2,500/semester) to junior, senior, and Alt. A education majors pursuing initial certification, in exchange for a post-graduation service-teaching commitment (2?3 years depending on award size) in one of 24 named Black Belt, rural, or high-needs Alabama counties. Apply with the required one-page statement and two recommendation letters well before junior year, and go in clear-eyed about the multi-year service obligation attached to the money.
Map Your edTPA Deadline at Program Start, Not Senior Year
All UWA initial-certification candidates - undergraduate and Alternate A - must pass the edTPA portfolio assessment during their internship course (ED 409/ED 509) as a hard degree requirement, with an 18-month window from registration to submit a finalized portfolio. Map this deadline against your intended graduation date at the beginning of your program, since a missed edTPA window delays both graduation and state certification, not just one or the other.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume the on-campus and online versions of a UWA program are interchangeable for application purposes. They run through different portals and, in some cases, different admissions timelines - confirm with admissions which application applies to your specific enrollment plan before submitting, especially if you intend to switch formats mid-program.
UWA Profile
Full Name
University of West Alabama (UWA)
City
Livingston
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35470
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UWA Degree Worth It?
UWA 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 $40,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.32%.
How much does a degree from UWA Cost?
The sticker price is $22,402/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $13,832.
54% of students receive a Pell Grant and 63.7% take federal loans at UWA. File your FAFSA early and list UWA as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UWA Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $44,232. That's about 9% 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 West Alabama. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of West Alabama. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of West Alabama. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at UWA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UWA Admissions
Median earnings for University of West Alabama graduates sit around $44,232 a year.
At about $22,402 a year, University of West Alabama is on the more affordable end.
With 54.0% of University of West Alabama students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming University of West Alabama is the key move.
At 87.1%, University of West Alabama's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of West Alabama average a 3.16 GPA.
University of West Alabama doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.86 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.76, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama — aim above 1015, ideally within the 820–978 range admitted students typically fall in.
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.