Samford University vs. ASU

Should I go to Samford University or Appalachian State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Samford University or ASU 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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Samford University vs. Appalachian State University comparison
Samford University Appalachian State University College 3 College 4
Samford University Appalachian State University
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Overview

Samford University ASU
Location Birmingham, AL Boone, NC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 5,791 21,253
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #597
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu appstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University ASU
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $4,242
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $21,238
Room & Board $12,160 $12,258
Avg Net Price $32,176 $14,712
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $7,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 47%

Admission

Samford University ASU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 24,001
Admitted 3,734 21,275
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 88.6%
Enrolled % 28.9% 19.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.96
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 21/27
SAT Range 1070/1260 1100/1280
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, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Samford University ASU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Samford University ASU
Graduation Rate 70% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $41,600
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $211

Diversity

Samford University ASU
% Men 11% 3%
% Women 23% 6%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 85%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Samford University ASU
% In-State 23% 87%
% Out-of-State 77% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (21,253 students vs. 5,791 students)

Samford University vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or ASU?

  • Samford University is 775.6% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($37,144.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.9% higher at Samford University than Appalachian State University ($37,144.00 vs. $21,238.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Samford University ($14,712 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 0.8% lower than costs at Appalachian State University ($12,160 vs. $12,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Appalachian State University (100% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 183.4% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($21,758 vs. $7,677)

Samford University vs. ASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 5 points higher than at ASU (1157)
  • Incoming Samford University students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at ASU (26)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Samford University (3.84)
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Samford University (82.2%)

Samford University vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or ASU? 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 ASU and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Appalachian State University (70% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $15,800 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Samford University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,500)
  • ASU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Samford University graduates. ($211 vs. $232)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

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