Admit rate has ranged 53%–90% 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.
The University of Montevallo is Alabama's only public liberal arts university, offering a tight-knit, arts-infused campus with a 55% acceptance rate and a focus on undergraduate engagement. Known for its strong programs in education, art, and health sciences, Montevallo blends small-college intimacy with public-school affordability, though its 55% graduation rate lags slightly behind national averages. Traditions like 'College Night'—a 100-year-old intramural theater competition—define its quirky, community-driven vibe.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
2,151
In-state tuition
$13,948
Out-of-state tuition
$26,968
Campus Housing
60% live on campus
Acceptance Rate
54-59%
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
38%
6-Year Graduation Rate
55%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
$27,640
Median Earnings (Post-6-Years)
$46,262
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,957
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$24,000
Graduation rate
54%
First-year retention
73%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
52%
Pell (lower-income) share
62%
First-generation share
33%
Endowment / student
$21,125
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Accounting and Related Services$44,933
Finance and Financial Management Services$44,384
Marketing$37,208
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$34,872
Biology, General$32,569
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.46
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
89°F
Winter low
42°F
Annual rain
57.3"
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
61
Scholarly works
786
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
1.0%
Bottom → top quintile
14%
From bottom quintile
7%
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 Montevallo?
University of Montevallo's acceptance rate is approximately 54% (Montevallo, AL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does University of Montevallo cost?
At University of Montevallo, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,683 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Montevallo?
University of Montevallo enrolls approximately 2,151 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Montevallo located?
University of Montevallo is located in Montevallo, AL.
Admissions
Montevallo admits just over half of its applicants (54-59%, depending on the source), making it fairly competitive but not elite. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1030-1163 on the SAT or 20-26 on the ACT, with a minimum 3.5 GPA required for early admission under Alabama's Move On When Ready Act. Notably, test scores are neither required nor recommended, emphasizing a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone.. About 6,280 applicants vie for spots annually, with enrollment numbers fluctuating around 2,500 undergraduates.
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.
$32,391
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$31,314
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$31,133
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.
Montevallo’s academic identity is rooted in liberal arts rigor and hands-on learning, with standout programs in:
Elementary Education (most popular major)
Art/Art Studies (including ceramics and broadcast production)
Exercise Science/Kinesiology
Business Administration
The university emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, offering over 30 undergraduate majors, from Data Science to Music. Small class sizes (13:1 student-faculty ratio) foster close mentorship, though the 38% four-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to finish on time. Unique offerings include a Coordinated Dietetics track in Nutrition and a Strength and Conditioning degree.
Life at Montevallo revolves around traditions and tight-knit communities. Key highlights:
90+ student organizations, including a strong Greek presence (21% of students join sororities/fraternities).
College Night: A century-old intramural theater competition where students split into ‘Purple’ and ‘Gold’ teams for a weekend of performances and rivalry.
Arts-centric vibe: Regular gallery openings, poetry slams, and concerts fill the calendar.
Residential focus: 60% of students live on campus, fostering a walkable, engaged community. The campus is described as ‘vibrant’ but not overwhelming, with Montevallo’s small town (pop. ~7,000) offering coffee shops and parks rather than urban distractions.
Graduation rate: 55% (just below the 59% national midpoint for 4-year colleges).
Median earnings: $46,262 (well below the $60,377 midpoint), though alumni see a jump to $44,835 by five years post-graduation.
Debt burden: Graduates owe $27,640 on average, slightly lower than typical.
The university ranks 3rd among Alabama colleges for ROI (per WalletHub), thanks partly to low costs. However, its 38% four-year graduation rate signals pacing challenges, possibly tied to its high population of First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and Pell-eligible students.
Montevallo is a budget-friendly option for in-state students:
Net price: $17,280–$17,421 after aid (64% of students receive assistance).
Average aid package: $15,776, combining grants, scholarships, and work-study.
Tuition transparency: The university provides a detailed Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator, though official tuition figures aren’t cited in the sources. Graduate students can tap into merit-based scholarships and on-campus jobs.
For context, Montevallo’s costs are 37.5% of its total expenditure, with salaries being the largest budget item.
Montevallo is Alabama’s answer to a private liberal arts college—minus the sticker shock. Its quirks (like students painting the ‘M’ on a campus rock for luck) and deep-rooted traditions (College Night’s Purple vs. Gold rivalry) create a familial atmosphere. While its outcomes aren’t stellar, the hands-on programs in art, education, and health sciences—paired with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio—deliver value, especially for students seeking a close community over big-name prestige. It’s a school for those who’d rather star in a campus play than fade into a lecture hall.
University of Montevallo logo · sourceAbout UM | University of Montevallo · sourceInformational map by University of Montevallo - Issuu · sourceUniversity of Montevallo | College of Distinction · source
