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University of West Alabama

#669 in US ranking Livingston, AL
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of West Alabama award
University of West Alabama award

Cost

Cost / year
$22,639
Tuition & fees
$12,132
Avg. aid
$6,532
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
43%
SAT range
860–1120
ACT range
16–21

Outcomes

Graduation rate
35%
Median salary
$41,689
1 yr after graduation

Courtesy of University of West Alabama

What is the history of University of West Alabama?

The University of West Alabama is a public university in Livingston, Alabama, whose origins date to 1835. It began as Livingston Female Academy, established to educate women in the region. Its later development into a teacher-training institution helps explain why education remains a prominent part of its academic offerings.

The institution expanded beyond teacher preparation, became Livingston University, and adopted the University of West Alabama name in 1995. Today it offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including online study. That history connects a university with a regional mission to a student population that extends well beyond Livingston.

What are the faculties and departments at University of West Alabama?

The University of West Alabama organizes its academic programs across business and technology, education, liberal arts, natural sciences and mathematics, and nursing, with graduate study available in selected fields. Prospective students can explore subjects ranging from accounting and marketing to biology, psychology, teacher education, and nursing.

The choice of major can affect more than the courses a student takes. Teacher preparation and nursing, for example, may involve separate admission standards, supervised practice, examinations, or state licensing requirements. Applicants considering a regulated profession should check the current catalog and the relevant program's requirements, particularly if they intend to work outside Alabama.

UWA also serves students studying online. An online degree may share the university's institutional accreditation while having different course schedules, placement requirements, or fees from a campus-based program. The program-specific plan of study is the useful comparison point.

What is the location of University of West Alabama?

The University of West Alabama's main campus is in Livingston, a small city in Sumter County in west Alabama. Students should expect a small-town setting rather than an urban campus with extensive nearby public transit.

That setting matters for transportation. First-year students may register and park a car on campus, and a car can be useful for errands, off-campus work, or travel home. Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi, is a nearby airport, but students planning flights should check current routes and ground transportation rather than assume an easy airport connection.

The university's online programs also mean that campus location affects students differently: it is central to residential and commuting students, while distance learners may need to visit only when their particular program requires it.

What is the mission and vision of University of West Alabama?

The University of West Alabama describes its purpose in terms of education, service, and the needs of the region it serves. Its public-university mission encompasses undergraduate and graduate study, alongside outreach and learning opportunities that reach beyond the Livingston campus.

For applicants, the practical question is how that stated mission appears in a particular program. A prospective teacher might examine school-based placements; a nursing applicant should examine clinical arrangements; and an online student should assess advising and access to courses. A mission statement expresses institutional priorities, not a guarantee of any individual student's experience or outcome.

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University of West Alabama Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

University of West Alabama

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

Rural: Remote

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

5,000 - 9,999

School type

University

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1835

University of West Alabama Accreditation

University of West Alabama is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

University of West Alabama Programs and Degrees

iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - research/scholarship

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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