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Higher Education

Tuscaloosa County is known as the “Capstone of Education” in Alabama. The University of Alabama is one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher learning and research. It is also one of Tuscaloosa County’s greatest assets for economic and community development.

Founded in 1831 as Alabama’s flagship university, the University of Alabama had a record-high enrollment of 25,580 students in fall 2007. The 2007 freshman class of 4,538 is the largest in University history; it includes 77 National Merit Scholars, ranking UA 11th in the nation among public universities. This, the most academically talented freshman class in UA history, includes 929 students with high school GPAs of above 4.0, and an average ACT score of 24.5, also a record-high average.

The Honors College offers the best and brightest students on campus an array of enriched curricular opportunities. To be accepted into Honors College as entering freshmen, students must score in the 95th percentile or higher on a college admission test. Our 2007 freshman class included 1,060 students accepted into Honors College.

In addition to an outstanding core curriculum, the University offers extensive international study opportunities, internship programs and cooperative education placement. And the Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility helps prepare students to serve as effective, engaged and ethical citizens.

Center for Materials for Information Technology

A student-centered research institution, the University is a place where both undergraduate and graduate students can work with faculty to solve problems. An example is the Center for Materials for Information Technology (MINT), where research carried out in cooperation with industrial partners prepares students for exciting careers.

The University’s outstanding student athletes have earned past Southeastern Conference championships or National Collegiate Athletic Association championships or both in baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming, tennis, track and field, gymnastics, softball and swimming. When people hear the name “Crimson Tide” they rightfully associate it with the word “champion.”

The capital campaign, “Our Students. Our Future.” continues its momentum toward its goal of $500 million. To date, more than $400 million has been raised, much of it for student scholarships.

Crimson is the color that comes to mind for most people when they think of the University of Alabama. However, because of the University’s outstanding reputation, crimson is no longer just a color. Crimson is excellence.

Rich in history, Stillman College, is a four-year coeducational, liberal arts college. Stillman’s beautiful, 105-acre campus is located within walking distance of downtown Tuscaloosa. Noted for its stately magnolias, historic architecture and spacious, well-maintained grounds, the institution was established in 1876 by the Presbyterian Church.

With an annual enrollment of more than 900 students, Stillman offers degrees and programs in a wide range of subject areas, including business, computer science, social sciences, humanities, religion, international studies, music and nursing.

The college also has pre-professional programs in engineering, law, the ministry, medicine, and social work. There are 60 full-time and part-time faculty members, and more than 85% of Stillman’s full-time professors hold terminal degrees. The unusually low student-faculty ratio of 14:1 ensures that every student receives personal attention—a hallmark of the College’s elite, private education.

Stillman offers a wide range of social, special interest and performing arts groups as well as some that address campus Christian life.

Shelton State Community College is a state-supported comprehensive community college whose primary purpose is to provide accessible postsecondary education in the academic, technical and occupational fields. It is one of Alabama’s largest and oldest two-year institutions and has an annual enrollment of more than 7,500.

Located in a $40 million campus complex south of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State also administers the C. A. Fredd Campus, which is designated as a Historical Black College.

Shelton offers Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees in a wide variety of academic and technical subject areas. In addition, there is an array of certificate courses, lifelong learning experiences, and highly effective training support for business and industry.

The college is also the site of the Center for Workforce Development, a public-private partnership of all parties interested in building a skilled 21st century workforce.

A vital and integral part of the community’s educational efforts is the Tuscaloosa County Public Library, which recently underwent a massive remodeling. The library has expanded, state-of-the-art technology, computer labs, an exceptional genealogy and local history section and archives room, and a link to the Alabama Virtual Library.

The Weaver-Bolden Branch Library on Tuscaloosa’s west side was recently refurbished and serves a growing clientele.

Plans are underway to increase the number of branch libraries in the next few years.