The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a major public research university in Birmingham, Alabama, with tuition that varies significantly depending on your residency status and level of study. For the 2024–2025 academic year, undergraduate tuition is roughly $9,098 for in-state students and $22,562 for out-of-state students; graduate tuition is around $8,640 in-state and $21,168 out-of-state. Total “Cost of Attendance” — including housing, meals, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses — can range from approximately $30,249 to $57,455 per year depending on living situation and residency. These figures form the foundation for budget planning and financial decision-making when considering UAB as your university choice.

Below, we break down tuition and fees to help you understand every dimension of UAB costs, from basic fees and cost of attendance to scholarships, historical trends, value analysis, and comparison to other schools.

University of Alabama at Birmingham Tuition: In-State vs Out-of-State

Understanding UAB’s tuition begins with the most basic distinction any student must grasp: the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, and how that affects total costs each year. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the official tuition and fee schedule for 2025 indicates that undergraduate in-state students pay approximately $9,098 per academic year for tuition and fees, while out-of-state undergraduates pay about $22,562. Graduate students follow a similar pattern: roughly $8,640 in-state versus $21,168 out-of-state. The difference exists because public universities like UAB are subsidised by state taxes for residents, reducing the cost burden for Alabama taxpayers’ children while charging higher non-resident rates for others.

Delving deeper into the tuition structure reveals an even more granular breakdown: UAB charges tuition per credit hour in most programs, meaning your total cost in any given semester depends on the number of credits you take. According to UAB’s detailed tuition and fees schedule, in-state undergraduates pay around $388 per credit hour for many core programs, while out-of-state students pay about $966 per credit hour for similar courses. Professional and specialized programs — such as nursing, engineering, or health sciences — can command higher per-credit costs, reflecting the additional resources or faculty expertise involved.

Graduate programs also vary by discipline, with courses in areas such as public health or business commanding different fees. Some professional schools — such as the School of Dentistry and School of Medicine — have substantially higher tuition owing to the cost of delivering advanced clinical education: for example, dental students may see annual out-of-state rates in the tens of thousands, and medical tuition can exceed $60,000 per year in some years, a reflection of the intensive clinical training and faculty specialization required.

A nuanced aspect of UAB’s tuition landscape is that online or distance-learning programs may carry different per-credit costs than on-campus courses. As some students and advisors note, online instruction often includes additional instructional technology or platform fees, and these charges can push tuition per credit higher compared to standard campus delivery. This difference underscores the importance of verifying tuition rates for the specific modality of study you plan to pursue.

Finally, while posted tuition figures represent the baseline “sticker price,” your actual billed amount might differ based on the courses you register for, mandatory fees, and whether you are charged institutional, lab, or residency fees. UAB’s financial aid and cost transparency pages recommend reviewing your account summary through official university portals (e.g., BlazerNet) once registration is complete to see the precise charges you’ll owe each semester.

Total Cost of Attendance (COA) at UAB

Tuition alone does not tell the full story of how much it costs to attend UAB. Universities use something called Cost of Attendance (COA) — an estimate combining direct costs (like tuition and housing) and indirect costs (like personal expenses and transportation) used for budgeting and financial aid eligibility. For the 2025 academic year, UAB’s COA tables show that an undergraduate student’s total expenses vary based on residency and living situation.

For example, a dependent undergraduate living on campus might see a COA of approximately $35,457 for in-state or $53,155 for out-of-state students when including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses for a nine-month academic year. For those living off campus, the totals rise slightly as housing and food expenses shift to reflect market rates outside campus housing. Indirect costs such as transportation and personal expenses remain substantial — often several thousand dollars — underscoring how living expenses can quickly amplify the financial commitment of a year at UAB.

International students — treated similarly to out-of-state residents for tuition purposes — face the highest total COA, which can push annual attendance costs beyond $55,000 or more. Because student health insurance is typically required and included in many COA estimates, this too adds a fixed cost that students must plan for, on top of tuition.

While COA figures can intimidate prospective students, they are primarily estimates designed for financial planning and federal aid calculations. The real cost each individual faces depends on personal lifestyle, choice of housing, meal plans, transportation habits, and whether the student receives financial aid or scholarships that lower net expenses.

A powerful way to manage these costs is to consider year-round budgeting. For instance, if a student can live with family, commute, or find shared off-campus housing, total living expenses can be substantially lower than the on-campus estimates. Likewise, students who work part-time — within visa limits for international students — can defray some indirect costs, though tuition remains the primary financial factor.

Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Net Costs

While tuition and COA numbers sound large, many students at UAB — especially undergraduate students — receive financial aid or scholarships that significantly reduce their net cost. In fact, data suggests that a high percentage of UAB students receive some form of grant or scholarship, with average awards ranging several thousand dollars per year. This kind of aid changes the out-of-pocket price many families actually pay.

For example, some sources estimate that about 73% of undergraduates at UAB receive grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount over $10,000 per year. After applying this aid, the net price — what students actually pay once scholarships are deducted — can drop significantly, bringing total annual costs down into more manageable ranges for both in-state and out-of-state learners. This reduction is particularly valuable for out-of-state students, whose gross tuition rates are much higher.

Scholarship and aid opportunities vary widely and include merit scholarships awarded based on academic performance, need-based grants for students with demonstrated financial need, and departmental awards tied to specific majors or student achievements. International students may also be eligible for specific institutional scholarships or need-based support, though options are typically more limited than for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Federal financial aid — such as Pell Grants and federal loans — may be available to eligible U.S. students attending UAB, further reducing out-of-pocket costs. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for most federal grant or loan programs, and these awards are usually calculated based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and COA.

Ultimately, net price calculators — tools available on UAB’s cost and aid webpages — allow prospective students and families to estimate their personal costs after financial aid and scholarships. These tools take into account family income, residency, and other factors, helping create a more realistic expectation than raw tuition and COA figures alone.

Trends in Tuition: Increases, Per-Credit Rates, and Comparison to Peer Institutions

Tuition at public universities rarely stays static year after year, and UAB is no exception. Recent trend data suggests that undergraduate tuition — particularly out-of-state tuition — has increased modestly over time, with changes in the 3% range from one academic year to the next. This reflects broader patterns in American higher education, where inflation, rising operational costs, and investments in academic quality contribute to tuition increases.

Historical data shows that UAB’s tuition has risen slowly compared to national averages for research universities. For example, while the average out-of-state tuition at many R1 research institutions exceeded $30,000 or more per year, UAB’s rates have remained comparatively lower — albeit still substantial for out-of-state or international students. This context is important when benchmarking UAB against peer universities with similar research status and academic offerings.

Another nuanced aspect of UAB’s tuition structure is the differential between in-state and out-of-state per-credit rates. According to detailed tuition tables, in-state students may pay around $388 per credit hour in arts and sciences, whereas out-of-state students may pay around $966 per credit hour for equivalent courses. Graduate per-credit differentials also follow similar patterns, although some professional graduate programs command higher rates due to specialized instruction and accreditation costs.

UAB also offers differential rates for online or blended modalities in some programs, which can influence the cost of attendance for students pursuing distance education. Generally, online tuition rates are higher than on-campus rates because they often include additional instructional platform fees or partnerships with online education providers.

Comparing UAB tuition trends to other southern public universities (like the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa or Auburn University) shows that while each institution sets its own fee schedules, UAB’s tuition increases and per-credit structure remain broadly in line with statewide and regional patterns. State policy decisions — such as the Alabama Board of Trustees’ recent approval of tuition increases — also influence how fees evolve over time.

Is UAB Tuition Worth It? Outcomes, ROI, and Comparison Tables

When evaluating whether UAB’s tuition is “worth it,” we need to consider not just the price tag but the value proposition — including academic quality, research opportunities, career outcomes, and return on investment (ROI) relative to other institutions. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is classified as an R1 research university — the highest level of research activity — which can enhance both the educational experience and long-term career prospects for graduates.

Many students and parents look at ROI metrics such as median earnings after graduation, job placement percentages, and postgraduate success. While precise figures vary by program and cohort, UAB’s strong research reputation and affiliations with large institutions — including the UAB Health System, one of the largest academic medical centers in the U.S. — contribute to career networking opportunities and experiential learning that bolster employability in competitive fields.

UAB’s tuition and tuition increases should also be compared with peer institutions of similar research status. For example, average total tuition at many public research universities with very high research activity often exceeds UAB’s out-of-state rates; R1 peers might average closer to $30,000 or more for out-of-state undergraduate tuition alone. UAB’s comparatively lower out-of-state tuition positions it favorably for students seeking quality research universities at more moderate cost levels.

At the same time, in-state tuition at UAB is quite affordable relative to national averages for public universities, making it especially attractive to Alabama residents. Scholarships, financial aid, and net price reductions mean that many students can graduate with significantly lower loan burdens and better personal financial outcomes.

Ultimately, whether the tuition is “worth it” depends on individual circumstances — including your major, residency status, willingness to seek scholarships, and career aspirations. But UAB’s combination of research prestige, relatively reasonable tuition compared to peer R1 institutions, and structured financial aid opportunities makes it a strong candidate for students seeking both academic quality and long-term value.

UAB Tuition & Fee Overview (2024–25)

Cost of Attendance Scenarios

Net Price After Financial Aid (Approx)

Conclusion

Understanding University of Alabama at Birmingham tuition requires looking past simple sticker prices to the deeper realities of residency status, credit-hour charges, total cost of attendance, financial aid effects, and comparisons to peer institutions. UAB’s tuition — particularly for out-of-state and graduate students — can seem high in isolation, but in the context of R1 research universities and built-in aid structures, it represents a competitive investment for many students seeking quality education and strong career prospects.

Whether your goal is a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degree, or professional credential, planning proactively — including using net price tools and comparing cost structures — will help you assess the true long-term value of a UAB education.