Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Mobile, Alabama
65.5% Acceptance Rate
University of South Alabama — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
65.5%Acceptance Rate
3.69Avg GPA
1119Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$22,070Annual Cost
$49,379Grad Salary
37.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
65.5%
Avg GPA
3.69
Avg SAT
1119
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1015–1200
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Avg Net Price
$15,142
Need-Based Aid
37.1% receive Pell
University of South Alabama is a comprehensive public university with a medical school and strong programs in engineering, computer science, and the arts. USA plays a vital role in the Gulf Coast region's educational and economic development.
The 1,200-acre Mobile campus features the USA Health University Hospital, the Marx Library with special collections, and the Student Recreation Center overlooking Mobile Bay. The university's research enterprise focuses on coastal and community health issues.
University of South Alabama Acceptance Rate
At 65.5%, admission to University of South Alabama is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What University of South Alabama 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 — 65.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.24
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of South Alabama Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of South Alabama is December 1 for Spring Freshman applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 124 days left — Spring Freshman
Spring Freshman
December 1
Summer Freshman
May 1
Fall Freshman
July 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 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.
University of South Alabama GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of South Alabama is 3.69. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.39 and 3.69? 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 3.89–4.09.University of South Alabama GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.29 – 3.48
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.28
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Automatic, test-optional admission for applicants with a 3.4+ GPA; students below 3.4 enter a review process that can require an essay and recommendation letter.
- Five Early Acceptance Programs provide a direct freshman-level pathway into Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Psychology - a notable structural differentiator from most regional publics.
- Scholarship consideration is strongest for students submitting ACT 21+ or SAT 1060+, even though scores aren't required for admission.
- Acceptance rate is reported between roughly 65% and 79% depending on source and cycle - verify current figures directly with USA admissions before quoting a number.
- 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 University of South Alabama
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of South Alabama's verified institutional data
--%
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 South Alabama Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of South Alabama is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of South Alabama Without SAT or ACT?
University of South Alabama considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of South Alabama Average SAT Score: 1119
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of South Alabama is 1119 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1119 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1200 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of South 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 1015, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of South Alabama. 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 | 543 | 495 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 520 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1119 | 1015 | 1200 |
Below 1015, you're behind most admitted students; at 1200 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 1100
Can I get into University of South Alabama with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of South Alabama'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 South Alabama ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of South Alabama is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 23 | 20 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into University of South Alabama with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of South Alabama'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 University of South Alabama.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of South Alabama
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into University of South Alabama isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Check the 3.4 GPA automatic-admission threshold before building an essay strategy
USA grants automatic, test-optional admission to applicants with a 3.4 GPA or higher with no essay or recommendation required; students below that threshold go through a review process that can require an essay and letter of recommendation. Confirm a student's GPA against this specific cutoff early, since it determines whether essay-writing time is well spent or unnecessary for this particular application.
For students below the 3.4 threshold, treat the essay as the primary lever, not a formality
Because the review-path essay exists specifically to compensate for a GPA under 3.4, these essays should directly and honestly address academic context - an upward grade trend, a tough personal circumstance, a demanding course load - rather than a generic personal-narrative essay disconnected from the academic record. This is functionally closer to an appeal letter than a typical "tell us about yourself" prompt.
Build a pre-health pathway plan around USA's five Early Acceptance Programs
USA offers direct Early Acceptance Programs from the freshman level into the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, Department of Physical Therapy, and Department of Psychology - a genuine structural shortcut into professional programs that most regional public universities don't offer at the undergraduate entry point. Flag this immediately for any pre-health student, since application windows and GPA thresholds for these tracks are typically separate from and earlier than general admission.
Use score-submission strategically around the 1060 SAT / 21 ACT scholarship benchmark
USA explicitly recommends that students scoring ACT 21+ or SAT 1060+ submit scores for the best scholarship consideration, even under the test-optional policy - meaning the decision to submit isn't just about admission, it's about leaving merit money on the table. Walk students through this threshold specifically rather than treating test-optional as a blanket "don't bother" recommendation.
Expert Insight:
A frequent misstep: families assume test-optional means the essay is optional too, when in fact the essay (along with a recommendation letter) becomes a required component specifically for students who choose the test-optional route and fall below the 3.4 automatic-admission GPA. Confirm which path applies before deciding what's actually needed.
University of South Alabama Profile
Full Name
University of South Alabama
City
Mobile
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
36688-0002
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a University of South Alabama Degree Worth It?
Whether University of South Alabama 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 $51,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.9%.
How much does a degree from University of South Alabama Cost?
The sticker price is $22,070/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $15,142.
37.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 48.7% take federal loans at University of South Alabama — file your FAFSA early and list University of South Alabama as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of South Alabama Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,379 — about 22% 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 South Alabama. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of South Alabama. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Alabama. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at University of South Alabama
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of South Alabama Admissions
Median earnings for University of South Alabama graduates sit around $49,379 a year.
At about $22,070 a year, University of South Alabama is on the more affordable end.
About 37.1% receive a Pell Grant at University of South Alabama — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 65.5%, University of South Alabama's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of South Alabama average a 3.69 GPA.
University of South Alabama doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.39 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.29, University of South 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 South Alabama — aim above 1119, ideally within the 1015–1200 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of South Alabama is December 1 for Spring Freshman applicants.
The application fee is 35. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 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.