Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Online | samford.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in the suburban community of Homewood, approximately five miles south of downtown Birmingham, Alabama, Samford University occupies a 247-acre Georgian-Colonial campus nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Founded in 1841 as Howard College, Samford is Alabama's largest private university and maintains historical ties to the Alabama Baptist State Convention. The university comprises ten academic schools, with particular strengths in nursing, pharmacy, law, and business, while maintaining a core liberal arts curriculum. Samford operates as a residential campus where most undergraduate students live in university housing during their first three years. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I athletics as members of the Southern Conference, with notable programs in basketball and track and field.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Samford University is rated within the top 31% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Samford University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#213 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#161 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Alabama
#1 in Best Private Colleges in Alabama
#370 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in Alabama
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1080/1270 |
| ACT | 23/29 |
| GPA | 3.84 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | May 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $975 |
| Room and Board | $11,264 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,945 |
| Total One Year Cost | $53,934 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Health Professions | 14% |
| Education | 11% |
| Work and Family Studies | 8% |
| Communication | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Samford University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=102049 IPEDS survey data for Samford University.
Current students may use the Samford University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024