Birmingham-Southern College vs Oglethorpe University
Birmingham-Southern College and Oglethorpe University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in the southeastern United States, offer distinct educational experiences. Birmingham-Southern, nestled in the vibrant city of Birmingham, Alabama, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Oglethorpe's selective admissions (49%). While Oglethorpe's student body is slightly larger, both universities share a commitment to small class sizes, fostering personalized attention and engagement. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Birmingham-Southern College |
![]() Oglethorpe University |
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Overview |
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Location | Birmingham, Alabama | Atlanta, Georgia |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 79.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 65.9% | 81.3% |
Application fees | $50 | $50 |
SAT range | 1090 - 1240 | 1070 - 1280 |
ACT range | 22 - 28 | 24 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | 29.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 54.0% | 22.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,461 | 2,277 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,622 | 1,851 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 244 | 404 |
Yield rate | 15.0% | 21.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $33,790 | $62,154 |
Average net price | $22,888 | $14,929 |
Tuition | $18,850 | $42,474 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,900
Meal plan:
$5,650
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$14,200 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $10,781 |
100.0%
Average amount $34,704 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
79.0%
Average amount $3,074 |
83.0%
Average amount $5,596 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $13,570 |
11.0%
Average amount $11,706 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,058
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
1,446
Men 36.9% Women 63.1% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 38.4% | N/A |
International students | 1.5% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,418 | 824 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Alabama Georgia Tennessee Florida Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.8% | 58.1% |
Dropout rate | 4.8% | 41.2% |
Transferred out | 24.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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