University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) vs Jacksonville State

When it comes to higher education, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Jacksonville State University (JSU) stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. UAB, a public research university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to JSU's 70%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with UAB excelling in fields like health professions and engineering, while JSU is known for its strong programs in education and nursing. UAB's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students, while JSU has a slightly higher graduation rate (58% vs. 56%). To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, providing valuable insights into the strengths and characteristics of each university.

	Jacksonville State University	University of Alabama at Birmingham
Overview
Location	Jacksonville, Alabama	Birmingham, Alabama
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	69.0%	84.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	76.3%	88.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $35 Graduate: $35	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1010 - 1240	1173 - 1388
ACT range	16 - 23	23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	1.0%	7.0%
Students submitting ACT score	71.0%	65.0%
Total number of applicants	10,483	11,906
Total number of admissions given out	8,003	10,541
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,818	2,415
Yield rate	22.7%	22.9%
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)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,923 Out of state: $34,643	In state: $27,630 Out of state: $39,462
Average net price	$13,426	$16,990
Tuition	In state: $9,720 Out of state: $19,440	In state: $8,568 Out of state: $20,400
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $3,900 Meal plan: $3,300	Room/dormitory: $7,767 Meal plan: $4,540
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $8,488	93.0% Average amount $10,940
Students receiving federal student loan	59.0% Average amount $7,102	46.0% Average amount $5,208
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $10,209	5.0% Average amount $14,247

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	8,067 Men 39.5% Women 60.5%	13,547 Men 37.9% Women 62.1%
Graduate students	1,473 Men 32.2% Women 67.8%	8,742 Men 34.1% Women 65.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	19.8%	16.8%
International students	1.7%	5.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,564	3,480
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	Alabama Georgia Tennessee Louisiana Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Law Enforcement and Firefighting Business Liberal Arts	Health Professions Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	49.7%	62.4%
Dropout rate	18.2%	16.5%
Transferred out	27.0%	17.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,985 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $75,155 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,854 Year 2: $59,576 Year 3: $64,932 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,822 Year 2: $57,017 Year 3: $63,897 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,133 Year 2: $48,745 Year 3: $58,976 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,575 Year 2: $57,874 Year 3: $56,096 Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $54,156 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,068 Year 2: $45,500 Year 3: $48,436 Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,026 Year 2: $49,058 Year 3: $48,186 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $43,900 Year 2: $43,519 Year 3: $46,422 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,177 Year 2: $37,363 Year 3: $46,155	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $158,993 Year 2: $169,894 Year 3: $175,573 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $100,128 Year 2: $111,769 Year 3: $139,245 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $117,171 Year 2: $130,034 Year 3: $128,873 Systems Science and Theory (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,948 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $123,089 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $91,176 Year 2: $96,457 Year 3: $107,084 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,582 Year 2: $99,737 Year 3: $105,689 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,298 Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $99,770 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,552 Year 2: $95,215 Year 3: $98,530 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,497 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $94,486 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,743 Year 2: $88,820 Year 3: $90,200

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference in location between UAB and Jacksonville State University?

UAB, or the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, a major metropolitan city. Jacksonville State University (JSU) is situated in Jacksonville, Alabama, a smaller city with a more rural setting, offering a different campus environment.
How do the academic programs compare at UAB and JSU?

UAB is a comprehensive research university with a strong emphasis on health sciences, engineering, and business. JSU offers a broader range of programs, including strong teacher education and liberal arts programs, with a focus on undergraduate education. UAB generally has more graduate programs and research opportunities.
What is the cost of attendance like at UAB versus JSU?

Generally, JSU tends to have a lower overall cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, compared to UAB. However, costs can vary depending on residency status, specific programs, and financial aid received. It's best to check the official websites for the most up-to-date information.
What are the student life and campus culture differences between UAB and JSU?

UAB offers a vibrant campus life within a large city, with access to diverse cultural events, internships, and professional opportunities. JSU provides a more traditional college experience with a strong sense of community, a focus on campus activities, and a more close-knit environment. JSU is known for its strong athletic programs, particularly in football.
How do the admission requirements differ between UAB and JSU?

Admission requirements at UAB are generally more competitive than at JSU, reflecting its status as a research university. UAB typically requires higher standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) and GPA for admission. JSU has more flexible admission requirements, making it accessible to a wider range of students.
What are the research opportunities like at UAB and JSU?

UAB is a major research institution with extensive research opportunities across various disciplines, particularly in health sciences. JSU offers research opportunities, but they are generally more focused on undergraduate research and specific program areas.
How do the career services compare at UAB and JSU?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with job searching, resume writing, and career planning. UAB, due to its location in a major city and its strong ties to the healthcare and business sectors, often provides more extensive internship and job opportunities within those fields. JSU's career services are tailored to the needs of its students and the local job market.
What are the athletic programs like at UAB and JSU?

UAB competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with a focus on a variety of sports. JSU is also in NCAA Division I, and is particularly well-known for its football program, which has a strong history of success. Both universities offer opportunities for students to participate in intramural sports and recreational activities.
Which university is better for students interested in health sciences?

UAB is widely recognized as a leading institution for health sciences, offering a comprehensive range of programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and extensive research opportunities in medicine, nursing, public health, and related fields. While JSU offers some health-related programs, UAB is the stronger choice for students specifically focused on health sciences.
How does the size of the student body compare at UAB and JSU?

UAB has a larger student body than JSU, reflecting its status as a major research university. This means UAB offers a wider variety of programs and resources, but also potentially larger class sizes. JSU offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes and a stronger sense of community.

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