Samford University vs. Bellarmine University

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

Samford University Bellarmine University
Location Birmingham, AL Louisville, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,682 2,970
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #375
Religious Affiliation Baptist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu bellarmine.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Bellarmine University
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $44,040
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $44,040
Room & Board $11,264 $9,714
Avg Net Price $31,803 $22,813
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $36,264
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Samford University Bellarmine University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 3,878
Admitted 3,611 3,404
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 87.8%
Enrolled % 27% 16%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 21/27
SAT Range 1080/1270 1100/1290
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Samford University Bellarmine University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)

Outcomes

Samford University Bellarmine University
Graduation Rate 70% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $50,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $258

Diversity

Samford University Bellarmine University
% Men 32% 37%
% Women 68% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 85%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Samford University Bellarmine University
% In-State 25% 67%
% Out-of-State 74% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 2,970 students)

Samford University vs. Bellarmine University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Bellarmine University?

  • Bellarmine University is 23.2% more expensive to attend than Samford University for in-state tuition ($44,040.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.2% higher at Bellarmine University than Samford University ($44,040.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bellarmine University than Samford University ($22,813 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 16% lower than costs at Samford University ($9,714 vs. $11,264)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bellarmine University than Samford University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 75.1% larger than aid received Samford University ($36,264 vs. $20,711)

Samford University vs. Bellarmine University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 42 points higher than at Bellarmine University (1120)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Bellarmine University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42)
  • Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Samford University (83.3%)

Samford University vs. Bellarmine University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or Bellarmine 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 Bellarmine University and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Bellarmine University (70% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $7,100 more per year than Bellarmine University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $50,300)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Bellarmine University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Bellarmine University graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bellarmine University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 73%)

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