


The University of West Alabama is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from any separate accreditation or approval held by a nursing, education, or other professional program.
Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and to how other institutions assess coursework. It does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular credit, or that a degree automatically qualifies its holder for a professional license. Students pursuing a licensed occupation should check both the program's current professional status and the rules of the state where they expect to practice.
First-time applicants to the University of West Alabama generally need an application and a secondary-school record showing completion of high school or an accepted equivalent. The university considers high school GPA; class rank and recommendation letters are not generally required. Admission is not open to every applicant automatically.
SAT or ACT scores may be considered but are not generally required in the reported admissions criteria. Applicants should not mistake "test-optional" for "scores never matter": a particular scholarship or academic program may have its own rules. Among enrolled first-time students who submitted scores, the reported median ACT composite was 19. Because score submitters are only part of the class, that figure is not an admission cutoff.
The reported first-year admission rate was about 43%, based on 1,164 admissions from 2,729 applicants. It describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's chance of admission. International applicants and applicants to selective programs may need additional documentation, including evidence of English proficiency or program prerequisites. Current deadlines and category-specific instructions should be checked before applying.
The reported standard application fee for the University of West Alabama is $30. This is an application charge, not a tuition payment or a housing deposit.
Applicants who may qualify for a fee waiver should seek instructions from admissions before paying or submitting a nonrefundable fee. Waiver availability and procedures can vary by applicant category or application route; applicants should confirm the fee shown in the current application rather than assume that the undergraduate amount applies to graduate, international, or other applications.
Air Force ROTC participation is reported as available to University of West Alabama students through a cooperating host institution, rather than an Air Force ROTC unit identified as operating directly on the Livingston campus.
A cross-enrollment arrangement can involve travel, scheduling, and registration at the host institution. Students interested in commissioning should confirm that the arrangement is active, which courses they can take, and whether participation fits their degree schedule. ROTC enrollment does not itself guarantee a scholarship; scholarship rules and any resulting military service obligation depend on the program and the student's agreement.
The University of West Alabama generally accepts eligible transfer coursework from accredited institutions, but admission as a transfer student and acceptance of each course toward a degree are separate decisions. Transfer applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from every college attended.
Students can enter in multiple terms, including fall, spring, and summer. Reported transfer-credit options also include certain CLEP subject examinations. The usefulness of any transferred course depends on factors such as its content, grade, credit hours, and place in the intended major. A course awarded elective credit, for example, may not replace a required major course.
Before committing, a transfer applicant should request a program-specific evaluation showing which credits meet general education and major requirements, what remains to complete, and whether any minimum amount of coursework must be taken at UWA. Students in nursing, education, or other structured programs should also ask about separate program admission and placement requirements.
Students interested in studying abroad should check the University of West Alabama's current international-study options before building one into a degree plan. The availability of a semester program, short-term trip, or partner program can change, and participation may depend on a student's major and academic standing.
The essential questions are whether a proposed experience is university-approved, how its courses will count toward the degree, and what the full cost includes. Financial aid eligibility can differ by program. Students with tightly sequenced courses or required clinical and teaching placements should seek written academic approval before making travel commitments.
33% of admitted students enrolled (389 of 1,164)
Regular application deadline
August 10Application fee
$30Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite SAT score
930Median composite ACT score
19Percent of students submitting ACT scores
61%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
3%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Neither required nor recommendedSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
Considered but not requiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
NoROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Winter, Spring, SummerData 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.