Did You Know?
The University of Alabama has ranked among the top 50 public universities in the nation in U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings for more than a decade. UA is ranked 32nd in the 2013 rankings.
The University of Alabama’s fall 2012 freshman class includes 239 National Merit Scholars, an increase of 32 percent over fall 2011. While 2012 rankings are not available yet, UA ranked 2nd in the nation among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars in 2011 with 181 scholars in the freshman class.
Enrollment at The University of Alabama reached a record high of 33,602 for fall 2012. The entering freshman class, at 6,397 students, is the largest and best qualified in UA history.
The University of Alabama has a dramatic impact on the economy of Alabama, returning three dollars for every one dollar invested in the University by the State. UA each year contributes more than $2 billion to the state’s economy.
The UA School of Law is ranked 29th in the nation in U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 edition of the annual “Best Graduate Schools” publication.
The University of Alabama led the nation with a record 10 students named to USA Today’s 2010 All-USA College Academic Team. UA has had great success in placing students on this national team that honors the “best of the best” undergraduate academic all-stars from across the nation, having placed 46 students on the team since 2003. In addition to this year, UA also had the most students on the list in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 and tied for the top spot in 2007.
UA is regularly ranked among the top 100 public universities in Kiplinger’s annual list of colleges and universities that combine “great academics and affordable tuition.”
The University of Alabama debate and forensics program has won 19 national debate championships.
The University of Alabama’s graduates and students include 15 Rhodes Scholars, and in the past 25 years, UA has produced 37 Goldwater Scholars, 8 Truman Scholars, 19 Hollings Scholars, two Javits Fellows, one Udall Scholar and one Portz Scholar.
UA is #1 in the nation in enrollment and graduation of minority doctoral students under the Southern Regional Education Board’s Minority Doctoral Scholars Program. A total of 66 SREB fellows have completed their doctorates at UA, and 20 SREB doctoral fellows are currently enrolled in this program that encourages minority students to pursue doctoral degrees and become college-level professors.
UA is one of the top five public flagship universities in the nation in the enrollment of African-American students. For the 2011-2012 academic year, African-Americans represent 12 percent of the student body.
PRWeek Magazine has recognized the public relations program at The University of Alabama as one of the top five programs in the nation each of the last four years.
Participation in original research and creative activities is becoming a hallmark of the undergraduate experience at The University of Alabama. More than 400 undergraduates showcased their research and creative activity projects at UA’s spring 2012 “Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference.”
University of Alabama students are committed to community service: In the 2011-2012 academic year, more than 26,000 UA students completed approximately 1,121,341 hours of community service with more than 183 community partners. Additionally, an estimated 11,000 students participated in service-learning courses led by faculty members from every college on campus.
The University of Alabama has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service learning and civic engagement.
The University of Alabama has been selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its 2008 Community Engagement Classification. The designation recognizes UA as one of the nation’s premiere institutions in community outreach and scholarship, and it underscores UA’s commitment to apply its resources and expertise to address critical community needs.
The University of Alabama has been engaged in an aggressive program to upgrade and expand facilities, opening more than 40 new facilities since 2003.
This year alone, some 2,200 University of Alabama students will receive a total of more than $4 million in scholarships provided by the National Alumni Association. The UA National Alumni Association is among the nation’s leading public-university-based comprehensive associations, ranking among the top 10 in alumni support.
Founded in 1831, The University of Alabama is the state’s first university.
Updated 5/23/2012