Jacksonville State University vs. Samford University

Should I go to Jacksonville State University or Samford University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Jacksonville State University 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.

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Jacksonville State University vs. Samford University comparison
Jacksonville State University Samford University College 3 College 4
Jacksonville State University Samford University
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Overview

Jacksonville State University Samford University
Location Jacksonville, AL Birmingham, AL
Setting Small Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,632 5,682
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #946 #213
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsu.edu samford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jacksonville State University Samford University
Tuition (In State) $9,990 $35,750
Tuition (Out of State) $19,950 $35,750
Room & Board $8,640 $11,264
Avg Net Price $11,953 $31,803
Avg Grant Aid $10,123 $20,711
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Jacksonville State University Samford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,570 4,337
Admitted 9,863 3,611
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 83.3%
Enrolled % 19.7% 27%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.84
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 23/29
SAT Range 940/1200 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

Jacksonville State University Samford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Jacksonville State University Samford University
Graduation Rate 32% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $57,400
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $240 $232

Diversity

Jacksonville State University Samford University
% Men 40% 32%
% Women 60% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 81%
% Black 22% 7%
% Hispanic 1% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Jacksonville State University Samford University
% In-State 72% 25%
% Out-of-State 25% 74%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Jacksonville State University is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (9,632 students vs. 5,682 students)

Jacksonville State University vs. Samford University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State University or Samford University?

  • Samford University is 257.9% more expensive to attend than Jacksonville State University for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $9,990.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 79.2% higher at Samford University than Jacksonville State University ($35,750.00 vs. $19,950.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jacksonville State University than Samford University ($11,953 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 30.4% lower than costs at Samford University ($8,640 vs. $11,264)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jacksonville State University than Samford University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 104.6% larger than aid received Jacksonville State University ($20,711 vs. $10,123)

Jacksonville State University vs. Samford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 100 points higher than at Jacksonville State University (1062)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Jacksonville State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Jacksonville State University (3.43)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than Jacksonville State University (78.5%)

Jacksonville State University vs. Samford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jacksonville State University 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 Jacksonville State University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Jacksonville State University (70% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $20,400 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $37,000)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,250)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($232 vs. $240)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 39%)

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