University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) vs University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either the vibrant University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) or the dynamic University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). UCLA, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 12%, while UAB, located in the vibrant city of Birmingham, offers a more accessible route with an acceptance rate of 79%. Both universities excel in diverse academic offerings, with UCLA excelling in popular majors like Economics, Psychology, and Political Science, and UAB shining in fields such as Nursing, Biology, and Public Health. Explore the distinct student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional details presented in the comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of Alabama at Birmingham |
![]() University of California-Los Angeles |
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Overview |
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Location | Birmingham, Alabama | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.5% | 10.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | 1173 - 1388 | N/A |
ACT range | 23 - 30 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 65.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 11,906 | 139,489 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,541 | 15,028 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,415 | 6,584 |
Yield rate | 22.9% | 43.8% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,630
Out of state:
$39,462
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In state:
$36,173
Out of state:
$65,927
|
Average net price | $16,990 | $13,393 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,568
Out of state:
$20,400
|
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,767
Meal plan:
$4,540
|
$16,763 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
93.0%
Average amount $10,940 |
45.0%
Average amount $17,592 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
46.0%
Average amount $5,208 |
11.0%
Average amount $4,391 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $14,247 |
1.0%
Average amount $19,764 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
13,547
Men 37.9% Women 62.1% |
32,122
Men 40.2% Women 59.8% |
Graduate students |
8,742
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
13,994
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 16.8% | 21.9% |
International students | 5.0% | 14.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,480 | 20,372 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Alabama Georgia Tennessee Louisiana Florida | California Texas Washington New York Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.4% | 92.1% |
Dropout rate | 16.5% | 3.7% |
Transferred out | 17.9% | 3.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Systems Science and Theory (Master's Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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