University of Alabama at Birmingham serves as an Opportunity Builder, combining open admission with moderate earnings outcomes. The institution generates $1,737 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels that support long-term financial stability for graduates from diverse backgrounds.
Moderate long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Controlled costs and manageable debt levels
Above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to similar institutions
The university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisOpen access with solid career outcomes
University of Alabama at Birmingham ranks #281 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with strong performance at the 82.8th percentile. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, this large public university maintains open access with an 88.4% admission rate while delivering solid post-graduation outcomes.
UAB enrolls 33.2% Pell-eligible students and 34.1% first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to educational opportunity for diverse backgrounds. Despite open admission standards, students achieve SAT scores of 1130-1400, demonstrating the academic quality of enrolled students.
Graduates earn $1,737 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 62.7th percentile nationally. Median earnings reach $54,501 ten years after enrollment, placing University of Alabama at Birmingham in the 55th percentile for long-term earnings.
This combination of open admission, diverse access, and moderate earnings positions UAB as an Opportunity Builder, where institutions prioritize educational access while maintaining solid career outcomes for graduates.
University of Alabama at Birmingham demonstrates strong value through controlled debt levels combined with moderate earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $54,501 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 55th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $33,873 at the 25th percentile to $80,711 at the 75th percentile, reflecting career paths across healthcare, business, and liberal arts programs. The institution generates $1,737 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 62.7th percentile nationally on this uplift measure.
Students seeking broad access to higher education combined with solid career outcomes across diverse fields, particularly healthcare, business, and education. Well-suited for Alabama residents prioritizing affordability and first-generation students looking for an institution with open admission and strong support systems.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Alabama At Birmingham hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/analysis.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
37 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
71 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
33 graduates
Materials Engineering.
17 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
32 graduates
University of Alabama at Birmingham offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive comparison. Artificial Intelligence ranks #77 nationally and #3 in Alabama, producing 71 graduates with median earnings of $86,934 and a strong value score of 62.2.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing represents the largest program with 389 graduates earning $66,727 and ranking #183 nationally. Clinical Research Coordinator stands out with a top national ranking of #25 and exceptional value score of 66.2, graduating 142 students with median earnings of $51,637.
Business Administration and Management produces 148 graduates with median earnings of $56,415, ranking #215 nationally and #2 in Alabama. Psychology General graduates 203 students earning $37,691, while Biology General enrolls 202 students with median earnings of $40,480.
The program portfolio reflects University of Alabama at Birmingham's comprehensive mission, with flagship programs spanning healthcare, business, and technology fields that serve diverse career interests.
University of Alabama at Birmingham admits 88.4% of applicants, representing open access admission where most qualified students receive offers. This places UAB among institutions prioritizing educational opportunity over selective admission, with roughly 9 out of 10 applicants gaining admission.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that University of Alabama at Birmingham maintains more open access than typical four-year institutions in its comparison group. This open admission philosophy aligns with UAB's mission as a comprehensive public university serving diverse student populations.
Students should approach University of Alabama at Birmingham as an accessible option where admission is likely for those meeting basic academic requirements. The high acceptance rate means students can focus on program fit and career outcomes rather than competitive positioning.
For students building college lists, UAB serves as a reliable option alongside more selective alternatives, providing security in admission planning while maintaining solid post-graduation outcomes. The open access model supports educational opportunity for first-generation and transfer students who comprise significant portions of the student body.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Alabama at Birmingham publishes a cost of attendance of $27,826 per year, including $21,864 in out-of-state tuition, $8,832 for Alabama residents, $13,590 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. The average student pays $17,727 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,099 from the sticker price.
This net price falls $2,137 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive affordability relative to similar institutions. The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for most students, with aid awards varying significantly by family income level.
Net prices range from $14,816 for lowest-income families to $21,326 for highest-income households, creating a progressive pricing structure that supports access across economic backgrounds. University of Alabama at Birmingham's cost structure reflects its mission as a comprehensive public university, balancing accessible pricing with program quality and student services that support degree completion and career outcomes.
University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates show steady earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $46,572 six years after enrollment to $51,431 at eight years and $54,501 at ten years, representing 17.0% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on robust cohorts of 3,250 graduates at six years, 3,568 at eight years, and 3,625 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $1,737 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of Alabama at Birmingham in the 62.7th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $47,000, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $33,873 at the 25th percentile to $80,711 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 28.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry. The earnings growth trajectory shows consistent advancement as graduates establish their careers.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tarleton State University Similar quality tier (#283 ranked) | TX | 94% | $53,040 | #283 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-Kansas City Similar quality tier (#279 ranked) | MO | 75% | $59,637 | #279 | Compare |
Western Carolina University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#278 ranked) | NC | 87% | $49,458 | #278 | Compare |
University Of Nebraska-Lincoln Similar quality tier (#277 ranked) | NE | 77% | $56,887 | #277 | Compare |
University Of Southern Mississippi Similar quality tier in Southeast (#276 ranked) | MS | 99% | $44,140 | #276 | Compare |
