Admit rate has ranged 74%–83% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (69%) falls outside that window. 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.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public research university that feels more like a high-tech incubator than a traditional college, its identity inextricably linked to the aerospace and defense giants orbiting its campus. With a pragmatic, hands-on curriculum and a student body heavily skewed toward engineering and business, UAH offers a direct pipeline into the specialized, high-wage economy of the Rocket City. The vibe is focused and career-oriented, where club meetings for the Space Hardware Club are as common as tailgates, and the median graduate earnings tell a compelling story of return on investment.
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
6,591
In-state tuition
$12,132
Out-of-state tuition
$26,408
Early Decision
Not offered
Graduation Rate
64%
Application Platform
Common Application
Demonstrated Interest
Not considered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$61,767
Strong Candidate Profile
3.0 GPA, 21 ACT/1060 SAT
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,767
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.3×
Median debt at graduation
$20,705
Graduation rate
64%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
55%
Pell (lower-income) share
25%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
31%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Mechanical Engineering$63,997
Civil Engineering$62,012
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$62,012
Computer and Information Sciences, General$60,452
Computer Engineering$59,846
Industrial Engineering$55,547
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.24
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
85
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
37°F
Annual rain
62.6"
Annual snow
2.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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
355
Scholarly works
24,621
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
2.4%
Bottom → top quintile
30%
From bottom quintile
8%
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 University of Alabama in Huntsville?
University of Alabama in Huntsville's acceptance rate is approximately 69% (Huntsville, AL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Alabama in Huntsville?
Admitted students at University of Alabama in Huntsville typically score 1210–1410 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Alabama in Huntsville cost?
At University of Alabama in Huntsville, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,796 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Alabama in Huntsville?
University of Alabama in Huntsville enrolls approximately 6,591 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Alabama in Huntsville located?
University of Alabama in Huntsville is located in Huntsville, AL.
Admissions
Admissions at UAH are moderately selective, with the university accepting a clear majority of its applicants. The process is , accepting the Common Application, and emphasizes a strong academic foundation. A student with a 3.0 GPA and a 21 composite ACT or 1060 SAT is considered a strong candidate. The admitted class tends to be academically solid, with a significant portion of students reporting high school GPAs of 3.75 or higher. The university does not offer an Early Decision program, which simplifies the timeline for applicants. Demonstrated interest is not a formal factor in admissions decisions, as indicated by its typical classification in the 's factor importance grid.
Key Application Details:
Test Policy: Test-optional.
Application Platform: Common Application.
Academic Benchmarks: Strong candidates typically have a 3.0 GPA and a 21 ACT/1060 SAT.
Early Decision: Not offered.
Demonstrated Interest: Not considered in admissions.
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.
Engineering, General$54,644
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$50,554
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.
UAH bills itself as one of the nation's premier research universities, offering a hands-on curriculum designed to create tomorrow's leaders. The academic experience is defined by a massive range of undergraduate programs, small to average class sizes, and a distinct tilt toward high-demand, technical fields. The most popular majors cluster in Engineering and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, reflecting the university's deep integration with Huntsville's defense, aerospace, and technology sectors. This isn't a liberal arts college; it's a place where academic pursuits are often directly aligned with the major employers in the surrounding community, giving students a tangible competitive edge through practical, applied learning.
Life at UAH is what you make of it, with a campus culture that often feels quieter and more academically focused than the stereotypical state school experience. The university is dedicated to creating an enriching campus life and encourages involvement through a wide array of clubs and organizations. These range from Greek life and intramural sports to highly specific special interest groups like the notable Space Hardware Club, a perfect microcosm of the campus's tech-centric vibe. Major campus events like the Week of Welcome help foster community. Student reviews often describe the social scene as self-directed; it's not a party school, but there are plentiful opportunities for connection through organized events, club meetings, and campus activities for those who seek them out. The overall feeling is one of a commuter-influenced campus where students are often career-focused, but a robust slate of programming exists to build friendships and develop leadership skills.
The outcomes story at UAH is one of strong, career-launching returns, particularly in its signature fields. The university's graduation rate shows steady improvement, with recent cohorts exceeding targets. The most compelling data point is the earnings potential: graduates command a significant median salary a decade after entry, a figure that notably outpaces many regional peers and underscores the value of its alignment with Huntsville's high-tech economy. This financial outcome represents a substantial net gain over a career, validating the institution's focus on preparing graduates for leadership roles in engineering, business, and related technical fields.
UAH positions itself as an affordable pathway to a high-earning degree, with a that is competitive for a public research university. The university offers a number of financial assistance options, including several institutional scholarships and federal work-study programs. is available, and the average aid package awarded provides meaningful cost reduction. The financial aid process is standard: students must complete the FAFSA annually, and loan eligibility requires at least half-time enrollment. There are also specific scholarships for in-state residents. The university provides a net price calculator for families to estimate their actual cost, and the Office of Financial Aid manages the disbursement of all loan and grant funds to student accounts.
UAH stands out not for a generic 'well-rounded' experience, but for offering a hyper-specialized, high-value education in one of America's most unique tech hubs. Its singular identity is forged in the shadow of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the dense ecosystem of defense contractors in Huntsville. This isn't just a university near industry; it's an organic part of it. The curriculum is practically engineered for this environment, producing graduates who walk directly into high-salary engineering, business, and technical roles. The culture reflects this: clubs like the Space Hardware Club aren't quirky extras; they're core to the student experience. For a pragmatic, STEM-focused student who views college as a direct investment in a lucrative career, UAH offers an unparalleled return, blending accessible admissions with exceptional postgraduate earnings in a way few public universities can match.
University of Alabama in Huntsville seal · sourceUAH | The University of Alabama in Huntsville · sourceUniversity of Alabama at Huntsville - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceUAH | Facilities and Operations | Services | The University of Alabama in Huntsville · source
