Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Florence, Alabama
96.5% Acceptance Rate
University of North Alabama — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
96.5%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
$22,086Annual Cost
$45,415Grad Salary
24.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
96.5%
Avg GPA
3.6
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$11,024
Need-Based Aid
24.1% receive Pell
University of North Alabama is a public regional university that emphasizes professional preparation, academic excellence, and community service. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic rigor and a student's demonstrated readiness for a comprehensive university experience. The university seeks students who are motivated by a sense of purpose and who are eager to participate in its wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Prospective students should highlight their academic consistency and their involvement in activities that foster teamwork or leadership. As the university is highly engaged with regional industry and professional fields, applicants who can connect their studies to real-world outcomes will stand out. The admissions team favors students who are not only academically prepared but also ambitious, self-directed, and ready to leverage the resources of a growing, research-active, and student-focused public university to build a strong professional career.
University of North Alabama Acceptance Rate
University of North Alabama (UNA) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 96.5%, 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 — 96.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.15
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.
UNA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at UNA is 3.6. UNA is highly selective.
Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.80-4.00 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.30 and 3.6, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
UNA GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Admissions at UNA utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.6, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.20 – 3.39
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.19
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Early Admission (EAdm) nursing pathway requires acceptance to both UNA and the Presidential Mentor Academy or Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College the semester immediately following high school graduation; apply by March 31.
- EAdm students skip the standard nursing admissions exam but must maintain a 3.0+ GPA and meet with an assigned nursing advisor every semester.
- Students not meeting EAdm criteria are placed in the standard traditional nursing applicant pool rather than being disqualified.
- Rolling general admission; acceptance rate figures vary across sources (57%?96%), so confirm current-cycle figures directly with UNA admissions.
- The Rigor Metric: At UNA, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
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 UNA
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of North 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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of North Alabama (UNA) 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 UNA Without SAT or ACT?
University of North Alabama does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UNA
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
UNA provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Apply for Nursing Early Admission (EAdm) by March 31 of Senior Year to Skip the Competitive Applicant Pool Entirely
UNA's Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions offers Early Admission to high school seniors who are simultaneously accepted into the Presidential Mentor Academy or Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College - bypassing the standard competitive nursing application and its admissions exam entirely, guaranteed as long as requirements are met. Since EAdm access requires being admitted to UNA and Honors/PMA the semester immediately following high school graduation, apply to both tracks well before the March 31 EAdm deadline rather than treating Honors as a separate, later decision.
Maintain a 3.0+ GPA in Your First 9 Credit Hours - Early Admission Isn't a Permanent Guarantee
Even after securing Early Admission nursing status, students must keep a 3.0+ cumulative GPA throughout their prerequisite semesters and remain in good standing with PMA or the Honors College, meeting with an assigned advisor every semester. Treat EAdm as a conditional, ongoing status contingent on continuous performance - not a locked-in guarantee the moment you're accepted as a senior.
Sequence Your Prerequisite Coursework to Land the Traditional Nursing Application in Your Final Semester Before Entry
UNA's EAdm structure expects entry into the traditional nursing option 4?5 semesters (excluding summer) after starting, with the actual traditional nursing application submitted during your final semester of prerequisite coursework. Build a semester-by-semester prerequisite plan from day one aligned to this specific timeline, rather than taking prerequisites in a scattered order and hoping the application timing works out.
If You Fall Short of EAdm Criteria, You're Automatically Rolled Into the Standard Applicant Pool - Not Rejected Outright
Students who don't meet every EAdm requirement aren't disqualified from nursing altogether; they're simply placed in the traditional application pool and must complete the standard admissions exam. If you're borderline on EAdm eligibility, don't panic - treat it as a fallback to the normal (still viable) nursing admissions path rather than a dead end.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes treat "meeting the minimum requirements" for Early Admission nursing as equivalent to guaranteed acceptance - UNA's own program materials explicitly state that meeting minimum EAdm requirements does not guarantee admission into the EAdm option, so a borderline applicant assuming automatic entry could be caught off guard if the "guarantee" language elsewhere refers only to those who fully satisfy every listed criterion, not those who merely qualify on paper.
UNA Profile
Full Name
University of North Alabama (UNA)
City
Florence
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35632-0001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UNA Degree Worth It?
Getting into UNA 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. UNA 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 UNA is $48,200 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.39%.
How much does a degree from UNA Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of North Alabama is $22,086. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of North Alabama is $11,024.
24.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 29.6 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to UNA and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of North Alabama, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist UNA as your choice in the form.
How much does a UNA Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $45,415. An average UNA 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.
Degree Programs at UNA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by University of North Alabama →
Frequently Asked Questions About UNA Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $45,415 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $22,086 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
24.1% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The acceptance rate of University of North Alabama is 96.5% 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 3.6. 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 3.3, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.3, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.2 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 3.6, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
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.