University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · founded 1969 · 22,000 students · public research university · American Athletic Conference

Known for: Renowned for its medical center and research programs, particularly in health sciences, and for being a major economic driver in Birmingham.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #142
QS World: #304
Times Higher Education: #201
ARWU Shanghai: #201
Forbes: #187

Top programmes

Medicine
Biomedical Engineering
Public Health
Business
Nursing
Computer Science

Notable alumni

Jimmy Wales — Co-founder of Wikipedia
Tamika Catchings — WNBA Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist
Charles Barkley — NBA Hall of Famer and television analyst
Reggie Barlow — Former NFL player and coach
Rodney Adkins — Former senior vice president at IBM
Tina Tchen — Attorney and former White House staffer
Steve Mitchell — Former NFL player

Traditions

Blazer Spirit Week
Homecoming Parade
Green and Gold Games
Dragon Dash

If University of Alabama at Birmingham were…

As a food: A perfectly executed hospital cafeteria plate lunch — Like UAB, it's utilitarian, efficiently nourishing a massive and diverse population, underpinned by serious scientific rigor (nutritional balance), and found at the heart of a major medical complex.
As an athlete: Deion Sanders — Like 'Prime Time,' UAB is flashy in its specific, high-stakes domains (medicine, athletics), a relentless self-promoter that rebuilt itself dramatically, and operates with a confident, urban swagger that demands national
As a person alive today: Dr. Sanjay Gupta — A telegenic, mainstream-facing authority who translates complex medical and scientific expertise into accessible, public-serving action, much like UAB's role as Alabama's primary healthcare and research educator.
As a historical figure: John Harvey Kellogg — An innovative, slightly eccentric doctor-entrepreneur who built a sprawling institution (the Battle Creek Sanitarium) focused on health, wellness, and practical application, mirroring UAB's origin and growth as a medical
As a movie or TV show: Scrubs — It captures the frenetic, darkly humorous, and deeply human ecosystem of a teaching hospital, where trainees hustle, hierarchies exist, and life-and-death stakes coexist with mundane daily grind—the core of UAB's identit
As a US president: Lyndon B. Johnson — A master political operator who used sheer force of will, patronage, and a focus on domestic 'Great Society' programs to build immense institutional power from a regional base, akin to UAB's growth in Alabama.
As a city: Houston, Texas — A sprawling, humid, car-centric Sun Belt metropolis defined by its massive medical center and energy industry, pragmatic rather than picturesque, where big things get built through a blend of Southern charm and corporate
As an element: Carbon — The fundamental, versatile building block of life and modern materials. Like carbon, UAB is the essential, adaptable structural element of Alabama's professional and healthcare ecosystem, forming strong bonds in myriad c
As a car: 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid — UAB is Birmingham's pragmatic pre-med factory—efficient, urban-focused, quietly excellent at research without the football fanfare. The Accord Hybrid gets future doctors through clinical rotations with reliability and fu

Campus life

UAB offers a diverse, urban campus life with a focus on research and professional development. The university is integrated into the city of Birmingham, providing cultural and social opportunities.