University Of South Alabama

University of South Alabama admits 65.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 3 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the university in the moderately selective category, making admission achievable for students with solid academic preparation.

The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates University of South Alabama maintains more selective standards than typical public institutions, with acceptance rates 19.1 percentage points lower than peer averages. This level of selectivity means qualified students with above-average test scores and academic records have strong chances of admission, though the university maintains academic standards above open-access institutions.

Students should view University of South Alabama as an accessible option that still requires demonstrated academic readiness. The university's selectivity profile suggests applicants should present competitive academic credentials while recognizing that admission rates favor qualified candidates.

For students building college lists, University of South Alabama represents a solid match school rather than a high-reach institution, particularly for in-state applicants with academic preparation aligned to the university's standards.

University of South Alabama's published cost of attendance reaches $22,070 annually, including $18,652 in out-of-state tuition, $8,830 for room and board, and $2,020 for books and supplies. In-state students pay $9,676 in tuition, creating significant savings for Alabama residents.

However, the average student pays just $15,142 after financial aid, representing $6,928 in aid savings from the sticker price. This net price falls $1,049 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating more affordable costs than similar public institutions.

The university's financial aid effectiveness reduces the published price by approximately 31%, making higher education more accessible for students across income levels. Net prices vary substantially by family income, ranging from $10,148 for the lowest-income students to $21,878 for the highest-income families.

This progressive aid structure ensures that students from lower-income backgrounds receive the most substantial price reductions, supporting the university's access mission while maintaining affordability across income levels. For prospective students, University of South Alabama offers cost advantages over peer institutions while delivering comparable academic programs and outcomes.

University of South Alabama graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression throughout the early career period. Median earnings rise from $41,307 six years after enrollment to $44,838 at eight years and $49,379 at ten years, representing 19.5% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on substantial cohort sizes of 3,465 graduates at six years and 4,164 graduates at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $1,669 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of South Alabama at the 62.4th percentile for earnings uplift.

Low-income graduates earn $44,500, demonstrating the university's ability to support economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $30,000 at the 25th percentile to $73,471 at the 75th percentile, with the top quartile earning 2.4 times more than the bottom quartile.

Approximately 25.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.

University of South Alabama offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing stands as the university's flagship program, graduating 308 students annually with median earnings of $61,022 and ranking #231 nationally.

Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #85 nationally, producing graduates with the highest median earnings at $91,966 despite a smaller cohort of 39 graduates. Mechanical Engineering ranks #108 nationally with 67 graduates earning $83,325, while Civil Engineering ranks #102 nationally with 68 graduates earning $74,622.

Allied Health Diagnostic programs rank #30 nationally and #1 in Alabama, graduating 89 students with median earnings of $57,116 and an exceptional value score of 60.8. Computer Science graduates 54 students annually with earnings of $73,682, ranking #166 nationally but #1 within Alabama.

The university's program portfolio demonstrates particular strength in health sciences and engineering, with multiple programs achieving top-tier rankings within the state.