Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM): Tuition, Scholarships & Guide for International Students

Auburn University at Montgomery, known as AUM, is a public university in Montgomery, Alabama's capital, and part of the Auburn University system but a separate campus from the main Auburn University. AUM offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in business, nursing, education, sciences, computer science, and the liberal arts, with relatively low tuition for international students. This guide covers what international students should know: tuition, scholarships, English requirements, life in Montgomery, and F-1 and OPT rules.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Auburn University at Montgomery, a public university in Montgomery, Alabama
• System: part of the Auburn University system, separate from the main Auburn campus
• Tuition (reported): about US$22,546 a year for undergraduates and US$19,756 for graduate study
• Per credit (reported): about US$884 undergraduate and US$1,118 graduate
• Scholarships: AUM International Scholarships of US$2,000 to US$10,000, merit-based, for students paying full out-of-state tuition
• English: IELTS 5.5 minimum reported
• Academic entry (reported): Class XII of about 73% for undergraduates; a bachelor's of about 85% for graduate study

Rankings and reputation

AUM is a regional public university and is not highly placed in global rankings. It should not be confused with Auburn University's main campus, which is a larger research university. Judge AUM on your programme, cost, and outcomes.

Academics and signature programs

AUM offers business (including accounting and information systems), nursing, education, sciences, computer science, psychology, and liberal arts programmes, plus master's degrees in areas such as business, computer science, and education. Ask whether your programme is STEM-designated for OPT purposes.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission is based on academic records and English, with reported minimums of about 73% in Class XII for undergraduates and about 85% in a bachelor's for graduate study. After admission, you receive an I-20 and apply for an F-1 visa.

English language requirements

• IELTS 5.5 minimum reported
• TOEFL and Duolingo may also be accepted
• Some programmes may require more
• Confirm with AUM admissions

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, passport details, and financial evidence for the I-20. Ask whether scholarships are considered automatically.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Reported tuition is about US$22,546 a year for undergraduates and US$19,756 for graduate study, or about US$884 and US$1,118 per credit hour respectively. Add housing, meals, fees, and insurance. Montgomery's living costs are low by US standards.

Estimated living costs

• F-1 applicants must show proof of funds covering at least a year of costs
• F-1 rules restrict off-campus work, so plan for little income while studying
• On-campus housing and meal plans offer predictable costs for first-year students
• Health insurance meeting the university's standards is generally required
• Winters can be cold in the northern states, so budget for winter clothing

Scholarships

AUM International Scholarships of US$2,000 to US$10,000 are available to incoming and current international students who pay full out-of-state tuition, awarded on academic merit and for tuition only. Ask how to apply and whether they renew.

Campus life and student support

AUM's campus is on the eastern side of Montgomery, with residence halls and sports facilities. Montgomery is a mid-sized Southern city with a major civil rights history, including the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. A car is useful, since public transport is limited.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Montgomery's economy includes state government, the military (Maxwell Air Force Base), manufacturing, and health care. International students face F-1 work limits, so ask about Curricular Practical Training and OPT.

US Optional Practical Training

After completing a US degree, F-1 graduates can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows up to 12 months of work related to their field, extendable by 24 months for STEM-designated programs. OPT is tied to the degree, so time on a pathway alone does not create post-study work rights. Confirm your program's STEM status with the international office, and check current rules with the US government.

Life in Montgomery

Montgomery has a low cost of living, a warm climate with hot, humid summers, and a significant place in US civil rights history. Most residents drive, and public buses are limited, so plan transport before you arrive.

How AUM compares on cost

At about US$22,500 a year, AUM's international tuition is lower than many US public universities, and scholarships of up to US$10,000 can reduce it further. Compare the net cost after scholarships and living costs.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants sometimes confuse AUM with Auburn University, underestimate the need for a car, or assume scholarships are automatic. Check these details before accepting.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students on F-1 visas are generally required to carry health insurance meeting the university's standards. Budget for the SEVIS I-901 fee, the visa fee, and flights, and prepare for a visa interview, whose waiting times vary by country.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, English placement where needed, and learning how US classes work, with regular assignments and participation. Students who use tutoring and advising early tend to reach progression targets more comfortably.

A realistic budget

At about US$22,500 in tuition and US$12,000 for housing and living costs, a year could cost about US$34,500. A US$10,000 scholarship would reduce this to about US$24,500.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which scholarship will I receive, and does it renew?
• Is my programme STEM-designated?
• What housing is available?
• How do students get around without a car?
• What is the full cost of attendance?
• What internships are available?

Who AUM suits best

AUM suits students who want an affordable US public university in a mid-sized Southern city, with scholarships and a lower cost of living. It may suit less well students who want the main Auburn University experience or a big-city campus.

AUM compared with Auburn University's main campus

Auburn's main campus is a large research university with higher tuition and a big college-town atmosphere, while AUM is smaller and cheaper. Don't confuse the two when applying.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any deposit, and receive your I-20.
5. Apply for your F-1 visa and prepare for the interview.
6. Arrange travel and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Order certified transcripts and translations, arrange financial documents, and check that your passport is valid for the whole study period. Keep written confirmation of program costs, scholarships, and progression terms.

Housing and meal plans

AUM has on-campus residence halls, which make the first year simpler, especially without a car. Ask about room types, costs, meal plans, and whether housing is available year-round, since some students stay in Montgomery over breaks.

Visa and arrival steps

After admission and any deposit, AUM issues an I-20. You pay the SEVIS fee, book an F-1 visa interview, and plan to arrive before orientation. Keep financial documents showing funds for the full cost of attendance.

Graduate programmes

AUM offers master's degrees in areas such as business administration, computer science, cybersecurity, education, and psychology. Graduate tuition of about US$19,756 a year is relatively low for the US. Ask whether your programme is STEM-designated, which affects the length of Optional Practical Training.

Business and computer science

AUM's business programmes cover accounting, finance, management, marketing, and information systems, and its computer science and cybersecurity programmes connect to military and government employers in the region, including Maxwell Air Force Base. Ask AUM which accreditations apply to your programme; for business, AACSB is the most widely recognised standard.

Campus support for international students

AUM's international office handles I-20s, orientation, and immigration advice, and runs events for international students. Ask about airport pickup, temporary housing on arrival, and help opening a US bank account and getting a phone plan.

English and admission support

If your English is close to the requirement, ask whether AUM offers conditional admission or English support. Graduate programmes may also ask for a GRE or GMAT, so check your programme's requirements early.

Nursing and education

AUM's School of Nursing and College of Education prepare students for licensed careers in Alabama. International students should check whether these programmes accept them, whether clinical or teaching placements require US work authorisation, and how licensing rules apply to non-citizens.

Frequently asked questions