Admit rate has ranged 65%–82% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Faulkner University is a small, private Christian liberal arts college in Montgomery, Alabama, where faith and education intertwine with Southern hospitality. Known for its tight-knit community and emphasis on character development, Faulkner offers over 60 majors—with standout programs in business, criminal justice, and health sciences—while maintaining an accessible admissions policy. Though its graduation rates lag behind national averages, its graduates report strong early-career earnings.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,549
In-state tuition
$23,920
Out-of-state tuition
$23,920
Location
Montgomery, AL
Acceptance Rate
26–82% (varies by source)
Student-Faculty Ratio
12:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
37%
Median Earnings After 1 Year
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,457
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
Graduation rate
37%
First-year retention
64%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
31%
Pell (lower-income) share
78%
First-generation share
43%
Endowment / student
$15,141
Financial health
2.7 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,821
Human Resources Management and Services$38,289
Criminal Justice and Corrections$34,704
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
100
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
43°F
Annual rain
51"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
35
Scholarly works
417
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.7%
Bottom → top quintile
4%
From bottom quintile
16%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Faulkner University?
Faulkner University's acceptance rate is approximately 73% (Montgomery, AL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Faulkner University cost?
At Faulkner University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,085 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Faulkner University?
Faulkner University enrolls approximately 1,549 undergraduate students.
Where is Faulkner University located?
Faulkner University is located in Montgomery, AL.
Admissions
Faulkner University is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 26% to 82% depending on the source (reports vary widely). The university prioritizes applicants with an ACT composite score of 18+ or a high school GPA of 3.25+ for unconditional admission. Notably, half of admitted students submit ACT scores between 18–24, and the average admitted GPA is 3.5. Unlike many private colleges, Faulkner does not require SAT scores, though they are accepted. The admissions process emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., including high school transcripts and a small application fee.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Academics
Faulkner offers 60+ on-campus majors and 23 online programs, with a curriculum grounded in Christian values. Popular majors include:
Business/Commerce (with a strong focus on information systems and executive education)
Criminal Justice
Human Resources Management
Health Sciences (nursing, speech pathology, and pre-professional tracks)
The College of Health Sciences is a standout, preparing students for careers in high-demand fields like nursing and physician assistant roles. While Faulkner lacks the national reputation of Alabama’s flagship public universities, its small class sizes and "scholarly professors" foster close mentorship. The university also houses Faulkner Law, one of Alabama’s few law schools, though its undergraduate programs are the primary focus.
Life at Faulkner revolves around its tight-knit, faith-based community. A striking 96% of students report feeling "extremely safe" on campus, per Niche surveys. The university actively promotes a "caring, Christian community" through:
Service opportunities (organized via student life offices)
Campus events (including spiritual retreats and social gatherings)
Intramural sports and clubs
A 5-year plan aims to further transform campus culture, emphasizing "integrity of character" and engagement across its Montgomery campus and online programs. While Greek life is minimal, the university’s Facebook page highlights a lively calendar of activities, from worship nights to career workshops.
Faulkner’s 6-year graduation rate is 37%, below the national average, but its 4-year rate is just 20%, suggesting many students take longer to complete degrees. However, alumni report a median earnings of $36,427 one year post-graduation, competitive for the region. The university’s focus on practical fields like business and health sciences likely contributes to these outcomes. Retention rates hover around 50% for full-time students, indicating some challenges in student persistence.
Tuition at Faulkner is $35,515 annually, but the average net price drops to $19,908 after aid, with scholarships and grants covering significant costs. The university offers need-based and merit aid, and its Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps families estimate personalized costs. For context, the average aid package is $12,251, making Faulkner more affordable than its sticker price suggests—though still a substantial investment for many Alabama families.
Faulkner’s unapologetically Christian identity sets it apart—its mission is to "glorify God through the education of the whole person." Unlike larger secular schools, it offers small classes, a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, and a culture that prioritizes character development alongside academics. Its health sciences and business programs deliver strong ROI, while Montgomery’s low cost of living appeals to budget-conscious students. Though its graduation rates are a weak spot, Faulkner excels in creating a supportive, safe environment where students forge close bonds with peers and professors.
Faulkner University logo · sourceFaulkner University News – Campus Master Plan Outlines Exponential Growth · sourceFaulkner University News – Faulkner University Sees Growth, Increase in Enrollment Across All Programs This Fall · sourceGraduate Campus Visit – Plan Your Trip · source
