Mizzou vs University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

When it comes to higher education, the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) stand out as two prominent institutions with distinct characteristics. Mizzou, nestled in the heart of Missouri, boasts a rich history and a vibrant campus, while UAB, located in the dynamic city of Birmingham, Alabama, is known for its strong research focus and urban setting. With acceptance rates of 84% and 79% respectively, both universities offer accessible pathways to higher education. While Mizzou's student body is predominantly White (78%), UAB's student population is more diverse, with a significant proportion of African American (30%) and Asian (10%) students. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of Alabama at Birmingham	University of Missouri-Columbia
Overview
Location	Birmingham, Alabama	Columbia, Missouri
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	84.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	88.5%	76.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1173 - 1388	1130 - 1350
ACT range	23 - 30	23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	7.0%	7.0%
Students submitting ACT score	65.0%	72.0%
Total number of applicants	11,906	19,966
Total number of admissions given out	10,541	15,283
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,415	4,843
Yield rate	22.9%	31.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,630 Out of state: $39,462	In state: $27,977 Out of state: $46,952
Average net price	$16,990	$18,249
Tuition	In state: $8,568 Out of state: $20,400	In state: $10,017 Out of state: $28,992
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,767 Meal plan: $4,540	Room/dormitory: $6,710 Meal plan: $3,500
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	93.0% Average amount $10,940	85.0% Average amount $11,312
Students receiving federal student loan	46.0% Average amount $5,208	36.0% Average amount $5,270
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $14,247	8.0% Average amount $16,554

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	13,547 Men 37.9% Women 62.1%	23,696 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	8,742 Men 34.1% Women 65.9%	7,705 Men 38.3% Women 61.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	16.8%	31.0%
International students	5.0%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,480	6,898
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	Missouri Illinois Texas Kansas Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering	Business Health Professions Ethnic Studies Communication and Journalism Education
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.4%	72.5%
Dropout rate	16.5%	26.8%
Transferred out	17.9%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,333 Year 2: $100,008 Year 3: $104,573 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,087 Year 2: $80,628 Year 3: $96,108 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $93,226 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,803 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,805 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,511 Year 2: $81,210 Year 3: $81,536 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,866 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $79,864 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,895 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $79,424 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,907 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $78,960 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,579 Year 2: $69,897 Year 3: $78,050 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,571 Year 2: $66,004 Year 3: $74,926

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)?

Mizzou is a large, public, land-grant university with a strong emphasis on journalism, agriculture, and a traditional college experience. UAB, on the other hand, is a public research university with a focus on health sciences, medicine, and engineering, and it's located in a more urban setting. Mizzou is known for its strong school spirit and SEC athletics, while UAB is recognized for its cutting-edge research and medical facilities.
Which university is larger: Mizzou or UAB?

Mizzou is significantly larger than UAB. Mizzou typically has a total enrollment of over 30,000 students, while UAB's enrollment is usually around 22,000. This difference in size impacts campus life, class sizes, and the overall student experience.
How do the academic reputations of Mizzou and UAB compare?

Both universities have strong academic reputations, but in different areas. Mizzou is particularly well-regarded for its School of Journalism, agriculture programs, and veterinary medicine. UAB excels in health sciences, medicine, public health, and engineering. Both are research universities, but UAB has a stronger emphasis on medical research due to its renowned medical center.
What is the campus environment like at Mizzou versus UAB?

Mizzou offers a classic college town experience in Columbia, Missouri, with a large, traditional campus and a strong sense of community. UAB is located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, a major city, offering a more urban campus environment with access to diverse cultural and professional opportunities. Mizzou has a more prominent Greek life presence than UAB.
How do the costs of attending Mizzou and UAB compare?

Tuition and fees vary depending on residency status and program of study. Generally, Mizzou's in-state tuition is competitive, and out-of-state tuition is also a consideration. UAB's tuition is also competitive, and it's important to compare the specific costs for your program and residency. Be sure to factor in living expenses, which may differ depending on whether you prefer a college town or a city environment.
What are the athletic programs like at Mizzou and UAB?

Mizzou is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in football and basketball. UAB competes in Conference USA and has a growing athletic program, with notable success in basketball and football. Mizzou's athletic events tend to draw larger crowds and generate more school spirit due to its SEC affiliation.
What kind of student would thrive at Mizzou versus UAB?

A student seeking a traditional college experience with strong school spirit, a large campus, and a wide range of academic programs might prefer Mizzou. A student interested in health sciences, medicine, or engineering, who prefers an urban environment with access to research opportunities and a diverse student body, might thrive at UAB.
What research opportunities are available at Mizzou and UAB?

Both universities offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Mizzou has strong research programs in agriculture, journalism, and veterinary medicine. UAB is a leading research institution in health sciences, medicine, and engineering, with numerous research centers and institutes affiliated with its medical center. UAB offers more opportunities in medically related fields.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between Mizzou and UAB?

Both universities offer career services to help students find internships and jobs. Mizzou benefits from its strong alumni network and connections in journalism, agriculture, and business. UAB benefits from its location in a major city and its strong ties to the healthcare industry, offering numerous internship and job opportunities in medicine, engineering, and business. UAB's location in Birmingham provides access to a wider range of corporate headquarters.
What are the surrounding cities of Columbia, MO and Birmingham, AL like?

Columbia, Missouri, is a classic college town with a vibrant downtown area, a strong music scene, and a friendly atmosphere. Birmingham, Alabama, is a larger city with a rich history, a growing culinary scene, and diverse cultural attractions. Birmingham offers more urban amenities and a wider range of entertainment options, while Columbia provides a more traditional college town experience.

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