Best Universities in Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama, founded in 1831, is a public research university located in Tuscaloosa. It offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is known for its strong academic reputation, vibrant campus life, and successful athletic programs.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #153 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 38,000 students
Degrees Offered:
UA offers over 200 academic programs across various disciplines.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 53%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1270.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Greek Life
- Student Government Association
- Honor Societies
- Community Service Organizations
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Joe Namath (Former NFL Quarterback)
- Harper Lee (Author of “To Kill a Mockingbird”)
- Sela Ward (Actress)
- Deontay Wilder (Professional Boxer)
- Mark Ingram Jr. (NFL Running Back)
Top Employers:
- Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
- Regions Financial Corporation
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Boeing
- BBVA USA
Auburn University
Auburn University, founded in 1856, is a public research university located in Auburn. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is known for its strong emphasis on engineering, business, and agriculture.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #97 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 30,000 students
Degrees Offered:
Auburn offers over 140 academic programs across various disciplines.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 81%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1280.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Greek Life
- Student Government Association
- Engineering Clubs
- Community Service Organizations
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Tim Cook (CEO of Apple Inc.)
- Octavia Spencer (Academy Award-winning Actress)
- Bo Jackson (Former NFL and MLB Player)
- Jimmy Wales (Co-founder of Wikipedia)
- Charles Barkley (NBA Hall of Famer)
Top Employers:
- Boeing
- IBM
- Alabama Power Company
- Southern Company
- Huntsville Hospital
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), founded in 1969, is a public research university located in Birmingham. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is known for its strong medical and health sciences programs.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #153 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 22,000 students
Degrees Offered:
UAB offers over 170 academic programs across various disciplines.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 92%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1200.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Medical and Health Sciences Organizations
- Volunteer Programs
- Research Clubs
- Honor Societies
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Courtney Cox (Actress)
- Terrence R. Wilcutt (NASA Astronaut)
- Emmylou Harris (Singer-songwriter)
- Randall Woodfin (Mayor of Birmingham)
- Deidre Downs (Miss America 2005)
Top Employers:
- UAB Health System
- Regions Financial Corporation
- BBVA USA
- Southern Company
- Children’s of Alabama
Samford University
Samford University, founded in 1841, is a private Christian university located in Homewood. It offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is known for its strong emphasis on liberal arts education and Christian values.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #147 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 5,700 students
Degrees Offered:
Samford offers over 170 academic programs across various disciplines.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 83%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1210.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Religious Organizations
- Honor Societies
- Community Service Clubs
- Performing Arts Groups
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Tim Cook (CEO of Apple Inc.)
- Bobby Bowden (Former College Football Coach)
- Eric Motley (Author and Politician)
- Marlin K. Jensen (General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
- Charles Barkley (NBA Hall of Famer)
Top Employers:
- Regions Financial Corporation
- Children’s of Alabama
- BBVA USA
- UAB Health System
- Southern Company
University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), founded in 1950, is a public research university located in Huntsville. It offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is known for its strong emphasis on engineering, science, and technology.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #187 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 10,000 students
Degrees Offered:
UAH offers over 80 academic programs across various disciplines.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 81%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1280.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Engineering and Science Clubs
- Research Organizations
- Honor Societies
- Outdoor Adventure Club
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Jan Davis (NASA Astronaut)
- Loretta Spencer (Former Mayor of Huntsville)
- Michael Griffin (Former NASA Administrator)
- Lonnie Johnson (Inventor of the Super Soaker)
- Leroy Chiao (NASA Astronaut)
Top Employers:
- NASA
- Boeing
- Northrop Grumman
- Dynetics
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Troy University
Troy University, founded in 1887, is a public university located in Troy. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on liberal arts, business, education, and health sciences.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #293-#381 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 20,000 students
Degrees Offered:
Troy offers over 170 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 91%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1100.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Greek Life
- Student Government Association
- Community Service Organizations
- Performing Arts Groups
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- DeMarcus Ware (Former NFL Player)
- Lambert Wilson (Actor)
- Lamar Bruni Vergara (Former Mayor of Laredo, Texas)
- John Lewis (Civil Rights Leader)
- Demario Davis (NFL Linebacker)
Top Employers:
- Regions Financial Corporation
- Baptist Health
- Southeast Alabama Medical Center
- Pike County Board of Education
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Birmingham-Southern College
Birmingham-Southern College, founded in 1856, is a private liberal arts college located in Birmingham. It offers a variety of undergraduate programs and is known for its strong emphasis on personalized education, experiential learning, and community engagement.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #146 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 1,300 students
Degrees Offered:
Birmingham-Southern College offers undergraduate programs in various liberal arts disciplines.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 57%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1230.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Community Service Organizations
- Performing Arts Groups
- Honor Societies
- Outdoor Adventure Club
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Ralph Cook (CEO of Cook Industries)
- John H. Buchanan Jr. (Former U.S. Congressman)
- Howell Raines (Former Executive Editor of The New York Times)
- Courtland Cox (Civil Rights Activist)
- Hugh McColl Jr. (Former CEO of Bank of America)
Top Employers:
- Regions Financial Corporation
- Children’s of Alabama
- BBVA USA
- Southern Company
- UAB Health System
University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama, founded in 1963, is a public research university located in Mobile. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is known for its strong emphasis on health sciences, engineering, and coastal research.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #281-#389 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 15,000 students
Degrees Offered:
USA offers over 100 academic programs across various disciplines.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 78%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1150.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Student Government Association
- Greek Life
- Community Service Organizations
- Engineering Clubs
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Michael C. Dow (Former Mayor of Mobile)
- Luis Gonzales (Former MLB Player)
- Gordon Cooper (NASA Astronaut)
- Byron De La Beckwith (Convicted Assassin of Medgar Evers)
- Mike Millegan (Former CEO of CenturyLink)
Top Employers:
- University of South Alabama Health System
- Airbus
- Austal USA
- Mobile County Public Schools
- Infirmary Health
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University, founded in 1883, is a public university located in Jacksonville. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on education, business, nursing, and the arts.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #293-#381 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 8,500 students
Degrees Offered:
JSU offers over 100 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 55%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1100.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Greek Life
- Student Government Association
- Community Service Organizations
- Performing Arts Groups
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- Ruby Gulley (First Female Mayor of Huntsville)
- Leroy May (Former NFL Player)
- Randy Owen (Lead Singer of Alabama)
- Howard Ballard (Former NFL Player)
- Condredge Holloway (Former CFL Player)
Top Employers:
- Regional Medical Center
- Anniston Army Depot
- Jacksonville City Schools
- Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
- Wells Fargo
Alabama A&M University
Alabama A&M University, founded in 1875, is a public historically black university located in Normal. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on agriculture, engineering, business, and the sciences.
U.S. News Ranking:
Ranked #293-#381 in National Universities (2022)
Number of Students:
Approximately 6,000 students
Degrees Offered:
Alabama A&M offers over 50 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Acceptance Rate:
Approximately 90%
Average SAT Score:
The average SAT score for admitted students is around 950.
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:
- Student Government Association
- Greek Life
- Community Service Organizations
- Marching Band
- Intramural Sports
Famous Alumni:
- John Stallworth (Former NFL Player)
- F. Drake (NASA Engineer)
- Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (Professional Boxer)
- Fred D. Gray (Civil Rights Attorney)
- Rod Doss (Publisher of The Birmingham Times)
Top Employers:
- Huntsville Hospital
- Redstone Arsenal
- Boeing
- NASA
- Madison County Schools