How to get into University of Montevallo
How to get into Montevallo: Alabama's public liberal arts university with binding-style 'Day in the Mound' visits and named merit programs
53.9%
Acceptance rate
$13,948
In-state cost
$26,968
Out-of-state cost
What makes University of Montevallo admissions different
The University of Montevallo is a small (~2,200 undergrad) public liberal arts university in Montevallo, AL — the only state-supported liberal arts university in Alabama and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). Montevallo's identity is intentionally small and liberal-arts-focused, distinct from the Alabama state schools (Auburn, UA, UAB) that surround it. Programs span the liberal arts plus strong programs in Business, Education, and Communication. Cost (in-state) is among the most affordable liberal arts options in the country, and the Alabama in-state tuition stacks with Alabama state aid for eligible residents.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through Montevallo's institutional online application. The application is straightforward and includes a personal statement.
- 2.
Attend a 'Day in the Mound' campus visit if possible. Montevallo's visit program is well-developed and visits often coincide with on-the-spot admission and scholarship decisions for eligible applicants.
- 3.
Apply for institutional merit (Trustee, Presidential, Dean's, named scholarships) at the time of application. Merit aid is meaningful for in-state and out-of-state applicants.
- 4.
Maintain a strong GPA in college-prep coursework. SAT/ACT is considered; submitting reinforces a borderline file and is used in scholarship formulas.
- 5.
Apply for the Honors Program through the separate Honors application — Honors at Montevallo offers smaller seminars, an Honors thesis track, and dedicated advising.
- 6.
Alabama residents: file the FAFSA early and apply for Alabama state aid programs alongside Montevallo institutional aid.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating Montevallo as a regional state school. It's the state's public liberal arts university and the COPLAC membership signals the small, intentional liberal-arts character.
- ✕
Missing campus visits and the 'Day in the Mound' program. Visits are part of the school's enrollment process and on-the-spot admission and scholarship decisions are real.
- ✕
Underestimating the COPLAC value. Montevallo's faculty access and small class sizes are closer to a private liberal arts college than to a typical state university.
The specifics for University of Montevallo
Application deadlines
- Priority application2026-02-01
- Day in the Mound visit daysVariesOn-the-spot admission and scholarship decisions for eligible applicants at scheduled visit events.
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Alabama's only public liberal arts university ↗
Montevallo is the only state-supported liberal arts university in Alabama and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) — the small, intentional liberal-arts character is distinct from the Alabama state-school peer set.
Day in the Mound visit-and-decide program
Montevallo's structured visit days often include on-the-spot admission and scholarship decisions for eligible applicants — a distinctive enrollment process for a small public liberal arts college.
What graduates actually do
The University of Montevallo is Alabama's small public liberal arts university in Shelby County, with strong outcomes in education, business, and the fine arts. Graduates feed Birmingham-area public schools, regional healthcare (UAB Hospital, Brookwood Baptist), and Alabama's creative arts community. The College of Fine Arts and the Stephens College of Business are anchor programs, and Montevallo's small size yields strong faculty mentorship.
Notable alumni
- Pat Buttram — Actor (Green Acres)
- Marion E. Walker — Educator and civic leader
Transfer pathway
Montevallo participates in the Alabama Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System (STARS), guaranteeing course-by-course equivalencies for Alabama community colleges. Jefferson State Community College, Shelton State CC, and Wallace State CC are major feeders. Transfer admit rate is accessible with a 2.0+ GPA.
Articulation partners
Jefferson State Community College · Shelton State Community College · Wallace State Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App (supplements re-verified this pass). Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Montevallo is reachable for applicants with college-prep coursework. In-state cost is among the lowest for any liberal arts experience in the country. Honors and merit aid require additional steps but are accessible for strong-stat applicants.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.