As Alabama’s largest enterprise of higher education and healthcare, the University of Alabama System – , , , and the – generates $18.6 billion in annual economic impact and provides 67,000 career opportunities across Alabama, playing an integral role in Alabama’s evolving workforce demands.
Across the UA System, academic programs, campus developments and research activity are intentionally aligned with industry needs, shaping how students learn and apply their skills. Our institutions educate more than 71,000 students and awards over 18,000 degrees a year in fields critical to Alabama’s future, including healthcare, engineering, education and technology, ensuring businesses have access to a strong talent pipeline. Our hospitals and clinics extend our educational mission by training future professionals while serving millions of patients across Alabama each year.
Workforce Development That Stays in Alabama
At UA, to address a critical statewide shortage of nurses. According to the Alabama Board of Nursing, nearly 39,000 nurses plan to retire by 2027, contributing to a projected shortage of approximately 14,000 nurses across Alabama. To help meet this need, UA, in close partnership with the UAB Health System, is moving forward with plans to double nursing enrollment and graduate more than 550 new nurses each year.
The expansion and renovation will add more than 50,000 square feet of instructional and simulation space and modernize over 31,000 square feet of existing facilities. The project is designed to increase clinical training opportunities and strengthen academic preparation in collaboration with the UAB Health System, allowing more students to work and learn alongside leading healthcare professionals in the state.
UAH is strengthening workforce readiness through targeted advancements in its nursing programs. Starting fall 2026, the to better align academic delivery with industry needs and accelerate students’ transition into clinical practice. The updated structure creates a more cohesive learning experience, allowing students to build knowledge and apply it in a more integrated and meaningful way.
As the UA System expands nursing education capacity across its campuses, UAB anchors that effort as the state’s top‑ranked nursing institution and a national leader in clinical education. , allowing year‑round entry and enabling students to graduate and enter the workforce sooner, with most graduates accepting positions and practicing in Alabama. The school’s long-standing partnership with the UAB Health System is key to the expansion as they will continue providing students with valuable clinical experiences in a high-tech, leading-edge health system.
UAB School of Nursing ranks No. 1 in the state for both the Master of Science in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, as reflected in the . Overall, the MSN program ranks No. 8 in the nation, and the DNP program ranks No. 9 nationally. Nine graduate specialties also rank among the best in the nation.
Combined with UAB's nationally ranked nursing programs, UAH's accelerated pathways and UA’s strategic growth initiative, the System remains focused on meeting Alabama’s critical healthcare needs.
Access to Specialized Care
Alabama ranks 46th in overall health outcomes and faces significant shortages of dentists, optometrists and primary care physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas, contributing to delayed care and higher chronic disease burden. The UAB Schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Optometry play a central role in addressing these challenges through targeted recruitment, training and retention efforts. Today, 41% of Alabama’s practicing physicians trained at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, while 74% of practicing dentists and 80% of licensed optometrists in the state graduated from UAB.
To strengthen the workforce pipeline, UAB advances a coordinated set of statewide initiatives focused on recruitment, training and retention in rural and underserved communities, including the , the and related workforce pathway programs.
Through AHEC, UAB offers early exposure to health careers and rural practice through community‑based rotations, college preparation and career exploration for middle and high school students. Last year, AHEC programming delivered 36,717 hours of education, reaching 8,642 students statewide, and supported workforce development across 15 professions including dentistry, medicine and optometry. CU2RE builds on this pipeline by preparing students for long‑term practice in urban underserved and rural areas through intensive training in primary care, prevention, behavioral health and community engagement. These efforts translate into strong workforce outcomes, with 81% of CU2RE participants matching into primary care.
UAB Dentistry is expanding clinical training to address Alabama’s severe dental workforce shortage. The American Dental Association ranks Alabama last nationally for access to dental care, with 71% of counties experiencing shortages. To respond, UAB is increasing rural dental education through state‑supported satellite clinics in Dothan and Decatur. In 2024, , where more than 100 students complete rotations annually while providing an estimated 1,800 patient visits. A will further develop training and access in North Alabama, supporting workforce growth while preparing graduates to build long‑term careers in the state.
Future-Ready Skills
Beginning fall 2027, will offer undergraduate and graduate programs focused on preparing students for careers in leadership, public service and policy development that contribute to Alabama’s social, economic and civic well-being. The school will be housed in historic Farrah Hall, a centrally located campus landmark, which will undergo a $40.5 million renovation.
The updated facility will create a dynamic hub for students, faculty, staff and industry partners, including state and federal leaders to collaborate and exchange ideas. Students will be exposed to multiple viewpoints and engage directly with public institutions, nonprofit organizations and private sector partners through internships, policy labs and community-based projects — ensuring they graduate with the skills and insight needed to address complex challenges with tangible solutions.
UAB is also investing in academic experiences that immerse students in hands‑on learning while building skills aligned with emerging industries. In 2025, the to support initiatives that connect classroom instruction with applied research, advanced technologies and interdisciplinary problem solving. These investments create integrated learning environments where students gain hands-on experience alongside faculty across disciplines and develop skills aligned with Alabama’s workforce needs.
Through programs such as the Blazer Launchpad for Advanced Design and Engineering and the Makerspace for Research and Education in Arts, Sciences and Engineering, students apply engineering and design principles, experiment with advanced manufacturing tools and collaborate on projects that reflect professional practice. These environments encourage creative exploration, strengthen career readiness, support workforce retention, and prepare UAB graduates to contribute to Alabama’s economic competitiveness.
UAH plays a critical role in building Alabama’s STEM and aerospace workforce through strong, long‑standing industry partnerships. UAH ranks among the top 50 nationally for aerospace engineering and sits at the center of a major technology hub with direct connections to federal agencies and more than 500 STEM‑focused companies. A cornerstone of this approach is UAH’s i4 employer engagement model, which connects students with industry partners early and supports them through internships, co‑ops and full‑time employment. Launched more than a decade ago with Northrop Grumman as a flagship partner, i4 emphasizes sustained mentoring, experiential learning and intentional workforce preparation. In spring 2026, , underscoring UAH’s role as a reliable talent pipeline for high‑demand technology industries.
World-Class Research and Teaching Facilities
Home to three premier research universities, the UA System generated $1.4 billion in research and development in 2025, advancing breakthrough discovery and positioning Alabama as a hub for innovation in biomedicine, engineering and cybersecurity.
UAB continues to grow research capacity with an eight-story, $190 million facility for the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences, supported by $152 million of federal funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The will have flexible wet and dry laboratory space, enabling interdisciplinary research in areas such as neuroscience, mental health and translational medicine.
In fall 2025, UAB opened the , a transformative facility designed to accelerate research in precision medicine, genomics, informatics and data sciences. The building serves as a central hub for UAB Medicine, bringing together research, clinical care and education while supporting studies focused on chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and addiction. The facility supports the full spectrum of biomedical innovation from basic research to commercialization, drug discovery and the launch of startup companies, positioning the region as a thriving hub for biotech entrepreneurship.
Set to open spring 2027, the 80,000‑square‑foot will provide cutting‑edge teaching and research space to support UAH’s largest college. The facility will advance UAH’s flagship engineering programs while addressing the region’s ongoing demand for a highly educated STEM workforce. Designed to promote collaborative learning and innovation, the building will support fast‑growing technical areas such as unmanned aerial systems, big data, hypersonics, and artificial intelligence, ensuring graduates are prepared to meet industry needs.
will strengthen UAH’s position as a national leader in cybersecurity. A $47.7 million renovation will transform the Bevill Center into an interdisciplinary academic and research facility that supports student success, industry partnerships and applied learning tied to national security and technology careers.
will further research activity, collaboration with external partners and student life. Phase I of the $247.7 million development is planned to include a UAH‑owned residence hall with approximately 400 apartment‑style beds, a UAH‑owned research facility aligned with regional employer priorities and dedicated space for public‑ and private‑sector partners, strengthening UAH’s industry engagement and Alabama’s technology economy.
Opening in early 2027, UA’s $96 million, 40,000‑square‑foot will be a premier hub for artificial intelligence, quantum computing, water security and more. Designed to support scientific, industrial and societal advancement, the center will facilitate research led by the Alabama Water Institute, Alabama Transportation Institute, Alabama Mobility and Power Center, Alabama Materials Institute and Alabama Life Research Institute.
The state-of-the-art facility — — will serve as a powerful computing and data resource, supporting research across all campuses of the UA System and will foster collaboration with external partners through shared infrastructure. These capabilities position the UA System to expand industrial, government and academic partnerships that drive economic development and accelerate discovery.
Delivering Lasting Impact
Across the UA System, these initiatives reflect a sustained, coordinated focus on serving students while meeting the long-term needs of the state. By directing resources toward learning environments, academic programs, research and patient care that deliver measurable outcomes, the UA System provides opportunity for students while strengthening Alabama’s economic and civic vitality. Through this work, the UA System continues to deliver on its mission to improve lives across Alabama and beyond.
