The University of Alabama admits approximately 75.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive admission offers. This places the university in the open-access category, providing broad educational opportunity for students across Alabama and beyond. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates The University of Alabama maintains selectivity slightly above typical four-year public institutions, though the 2.3 percentage point difference represents minimal practical distinction. This admission rate reflects the university's commitment to accessible higher education while maintaining academic standards through post-admission performance expectations. Open-access admission means that most academically prepared students should expect admission, though competitive programs within the university may maintain additional requirements. Students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness rather than viewing admission as highly uncertain. The university's approach emphasizes opportunity over exclusivity, supporting its mission as a public institution serving diverse student populations. For prospective students, this admission rate indicates that academic preparation and program selection matter more than admission uncertainty, allowing students to focus on fit and academic planning rather than admission anxiety.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at The University of Alabama demonstrate exceptional test score performance that significantly exceeds national and peer benchmarks. The middle 50% of enrolled students score between 1170-1400 on the SAT, with a median of 1287, placing the university among the highest nationally for test score performance. SAT Math scores range from 580-700, while SAT Verbal scores span 590-700, indicating strong preparation across both quantitative and verbal domains. ACT scores range from 24-31 with a median of 26, ranking at the 95th percentile nationally and substantially above the peer median of 25. The peer comparison reveals an 89-point SAT advantage and 1-point ACT advantage over similar institutions, highlighting The University of Alabama's academic distinction. These ranges indicate that most admitted students score between the 75th and 95th percentiles nationally on standardized tests. Students scoring below 1170 SAT or 24 ACT should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded, particularly with strong high school performance in other areas. If your scores fall within the middle 50% ranges, you are academically competitive for admission and should focus on program selection and academic planning rather than admission uncertainty.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
The University of Alabama enrolls a moderately diverse student body with meaningful representation from various economic and educational backgrounds. The institution serves 18.0% Pell-eligible students, indicating enrollment of students from lower-income families, though this share falls below many public universities. First-generation college students comprise 22.6% of the student body, demonstrating the university's role in expanding educational opportunity within families. Transfer students represent 12.9% of new enrollment, indicating established pathways for students beginning at community colleges or other institutions. This composition suggests The University of Alabama attracts students primarily from middle-class and upper-middle-class backgrounds while maintaining meaningful access for lower-income and first-generation populations. The combination of high test scores and moderate economic diversity indicates the university serves academically prepared students across various socioeconomic levels. First-generation students should recognize that nearly 1 in 4 enrolled students share their background, providing peer support and institutional understanding of their unique challenges. Students from lower-income families should consider the 18% Pell share when assessing cultural and social fit within the broader campus community.
Given The University of Alabama's 75.8% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students should expect admission. However, students seeking alternatives for geographic, cost, or outcome reasons have several comparable options.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at The University of Alabama demonstrate strong persistence and completion outcomes that exceed peer institution performance. The retention rate reaches 86.1%, compared to a peer median of 83.7%, indicating above-average freshman-to-sophomore persistence. The six-year graduation rate of 73.7% substantially exceeds the peer median of 65.9%, demonstrating The University of Alabama's effectiveness in supporting degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at 56.7%, creating a 17.0 percentage point gap compared to the overall graduation rate. This gap indicates meaningful challenges for lower-income students, though it reflects broader national patterns rather than unusual institutional barriers. The retention and completion patterns suggest students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support systems and academic environments conducive to degree completion. Lower-income students should weigh the 17-point Pell completion gap when considering this institution, while recognizing that 56.7% of Pell students do successfully graduate. Prospective students should view these metrics as indicators of the academic rigor and support systems they will encounter, with higher completion rates signaling effective institutional practices that support student success across diverse backgrounds and academic preparation levels.
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