University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public research university anchored by one of the largest academic medical centers in the country, giving it national strength in nursing, the health professions, and biomedical science. Admission is accessible: UAB admitted about 88% of roughly 11,400 first-year applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled students posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1190–1430 with an average high school GPA near 3.77. Health professions is the most-conferred bachelor's field at about 20% of degrees, followed by business and the biological sciences. UAB is test-optional, with low in-state tuition near $12,140 a year that makes it one of Alabama's most affordable research universities.
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UAB admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Admissions
UAB does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
UAB is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where UAB's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 34% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. UAB does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How UAB weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from UAB's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $17,340 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about UAB admissions
What is UAB's acceptance rate?＋
UAB admitted about 88.2% of first-year applicants in the most recent cycle, roughly 10,034 offers from 11,379 applications, with about 2,014 students enrolling. Admission is largely numbers-driven: academic GPA and the rigor of your high school courses are the only factors UAB weighs as very important.
Is it hard to get into UAB?＋
No, UAB is not hard to get into for most applicants. With an acceptance rate around 88%, students who meet the academic requirements are usually admitted, and the review centers on GPA and course rigor rather than essays, recommendations, or interviews. Competitive programs such as nursing carry their own selective, higher-bar admission once you are enrolled.
What GPA do you need to get into UAB?＋
Enrolled first-years at UAB average about a 3.77 high school GPA, so a GPA in the mid-3s makes you a strong candidate. Academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are the two factors UAB rates as very important, and most admitted students cluster well above the school's minimum, with about 41% carrying a 4.0.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for UAB?＋
There is no required minimum, but the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1190–1430 on the SAT and 23–30 on the ACT. A score in or above that range strengthens your application, though most UAB students apply without test scores and are reviewed on GPA and course rigor instead.
Is UAB test optional?＋
Yes, UAB is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Only a small share of enrolled first-years sent scores (about 4% submitted SAT and 43% submitted ACT), and when scores are submitted they are weighed only as a considered factor. Some scholarships and specific programs may still ask for test scores, so confirm requirements for your path.
How much does UAB cost for out-of-state students?＋
Out-of-state tuition and required fees run about $29,480 a year at UAB, compared with roughly $12,140 for Alabama residents. About 16% of first-year students come from outside Alabama, and the overall 88% acceptance rate applies regardless of residency, since UAB does not weigh state residency as an admission factor.
What is UAB known for?＋
UAB is best known for health sciences, built around a major academic medical center that drives nationally recognized programs in nursing, the health professions, and biomedical research. Health professions is the single most-conferred bachelor's field at about 20% of degrees, followed by business and marketing (18%) and the biological and life sciences (16%).
Does UAB require an essay or letters of recommendation?＋
No, UAB does not require an application essay or letters of recommendation for general undergraduate admission, and it rates both as not considered in its review. Admission turns on academic GPA and the rigor of your high school record. Specific programs and competitive scholarships may set their own requirements, so check those separately.
Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-22. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with UAB. Banner photo by Jaymay, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).