University of South Alabama

University of South Alabama
Motto"Research, Teaching, Service"
TypePublic research university
EstablishedMay 3, 1963 (May 3, 1963)
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliations
Endowment$742.1 million (total for both of USA's endowments 2025)
PresidentJo Bonner
Administrative staff
992
Students13,768 (fall 2023)
Undergraduates8,913 (fall 2023)
Postgraduates3,598 (fall 2023)
1,256 (fall 2023)
Other students
1 (fall 2023)
Location,
United States
CampusMidsize city, 1,224 acres (495 ha)
Other campuses
NewspaperThe Vanguard (member of the combined student media group Jag Media)
ColorsBlue, white, and red
     
NicknameJaguars
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FBSSun Belt
Mascot
  • South Paw
  • Miss Pawla
Websitewww.southalabama.edu

The University of South Alabama (USA) is a public research university in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in May 1963 and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama. The first classes were held in June 1964 with an enrollment of 276 students; the first commencement was held in June 1967.

USA is divided into ten colleges and schools that include one of Alabama's two state-supported medical schools. In the fall semester of 2018, South Alabama had an enrollment of 15,093 students. By the spring of 2019, the university had awarded over 90,000 degrees. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The university claims to have an annual economic impact of $3 billion.