The University of South Alabama (USA) is a public, doctoral-level university in Mobile, Alabama, USA. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1963, and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama. The rich cultural diversity of the Mobile area made it the obvious choice. No other areas of the state were willing to support such a school at that time. Plans for this university were being made as early as 1956. The University is divided into nine colleges and schools, and includes one of Alabama's two state-supported medical schools. The university has an enrollment of over 15,000 students. To date, the University has awarded over 62,325 degrees. The University has an annual payroll of $245 million (US), with over 5,500 employees, and is the second largest employer in Mobile, Alabama. It has remained one of Alabama's fastest growing universities for the past several years. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in nine colleges and schools. Several programs offer masters level degrees in addition to undergraduate degrees.