Birmingham Southern College vs. Samford University

Should I go to Birmingham Southern College or Samford University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Birmingham Southern College or Samford University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Belmont Auburn Berry College Lipscomb MC Alabama Lee University University of Alabama at Birmingham Furman Union University Rhodes College Tennessee
Birmingham Southern College vs. Samford University comparison
Birmingham Southern College Samford University College 3 College 4
Birmingham Southern College Samford University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
Location Birmingham, AL Birmingham, AL
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 975 5,682
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bsc.edu samford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
Tuition (In State) $20,000 $35,750
Tuition (Out of State) $20,000 $35,750
Room & Board $14,000 $11,264
Avg Net Price $21,153 $31,803
Avg Grant Aid $14,163 $20,711
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,019 4,337
Admitted 1,726 3,611
Acceptance Rate 57.2% 83.3%
Enrolled % 14.1% 27%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/29 23/29
SAT Range 1150/1280 1080/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • History (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
Graduation Rate 62% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,000 $57,400
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,850 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $277 $232

Diversity

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
% Men 53% 32%
% Women 47% 68%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 81%
% Black 11% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
% In-State 55% 25%
% Out-of-State 44% 74%

Campus

Birmingham Southern College Samford University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than Birmingham Southern College based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 975 students)

Birmingham Southern College vs. Samford University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Birmingham Southern College or Samford University?

  • Samford University is 78.8% more expensive to attend than Birmingham Southern College for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $20,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78.8% higher at Samford University than Birmingham Southern College ($35,750.00 vs. $20,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Birmingham Southern College than Samford University ($21,153 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 24.3% lower than costs at Birmingham Southern College ($11,264 vs. $14,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Birmingham Southern College than Samford University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 46.2% larger than aid received Birmingham Southern College ($20,711 vs. $14,163)

Birmingham Southern College vs. Samford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Birmingham Southern College or Samford University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Samford University or Birmingham Southern College .

  • The average SAT score at Birmingham Southern College (1167) is 5 points higher than at Samford University (1162)
  • Incoming Birmingham Southern College students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Samford University (26)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Birmingham Southern College (3.72)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than Birmingham Southern College (57.2%)

Birmingham Southern College vs. Samford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Birmingham Southern College or Samford University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Samford University and Birmingham Southern College.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Birmingham Southern College (70% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $6,400 more per year than Birmingham Southern College graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $51,000)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,350 lower median federal student loan debt than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,850)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($232 vs. $277)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Birmingham Southern College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/