UAB Highlight: A Hidden Gem

It’s college admissions season, and while some seniors are drowning in talk of elite schools such as Harvard, there is a much more accessible pathway to a college degree in town. Travel down the mountain, and you’ll find a much more affordable and more accessible option: the University of Alabama at Birmingham, otherwise known as UAB. Though often disregarded in favor of larger state schools and private universities, UAB is an underrated college because of its low cost, access to research and internship opportunities, and high-quality academics.

When compared to in-state favorite Auburn, UAB has a lower base cost of attendance and gives more aid, making it cost around the same as the University of Alabama. Additionally, UAB is within driving distance of Vestavia Hills, so Vestavia grads can commute from home, saving thousands more on housing. Although it may not be a student's first choice, these savings reduce the debt burden post-graduation, making it easier to afford a home later in life, a crucial step to building a life-long nest egg. Commuting from home can allow students to ease into college, since they can always move out after getting used to a collegiate workload.

Furthermore, UAB operates its own healthcare network called UAB Medicine, which is connected to the educational arm of UAB, offering the chance to build relationships and work experience in the medical field. UAB Medicine, which includes UAB Hospital, the eighth largest hospital in the country, contains myriad specialties and research opportunities thanks in part to the more than $300 million in NIH funding that UAB receives annually. Besides leading groundbreaking medical research, UAB serves as a critical asset to Alabamaians' health. Hassan Fattallah, a Neuro-Oncologist at UAB, shared that his helping “patients who have brain tumors or neurological issues” consequently “improves Birmingham” by providing life-changing medical care. UAB Medical School, which ranks 24th overall and 35th in research, provides a pipeline of highly qualified medical professionals for the state and an affordable education for Alabama residents.

Academically, UAB is a formidable institution. UAB offers majors in more than 30 fields, with more niche STEM disciplines such as Bioinformatics and Cancer Biology while offering more traditional majors such as Accounting. About 90% of UAB’s professors hold a doctorate or higher, ensuring that undergraduates receive high-quality instruction from those knowledgeable in their field of study.

For these reasons, Vestavia Hills students shouldn’t overlook UAB for its aforementioned advantages.