Samford University vs. Berea College

Comparable Facts

Compare Samford University in Birmingham, AL with Berea College in Berea, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Samford University is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (6,097 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL (Large Suburban setting); Berea College is in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Samford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Samford University 14:1; Berea College 9:1.

Samford University vs. Berea College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Berea College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Berea College than Samford University ($5,888 vs. $34,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 37.1% lower than at Samford University ($8,208 vs. $13,056).
• Berea College is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Samford University (about $11,508 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.7% higher at Berea College than at Samford University (about $11,508 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Samford University as at Berea College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 143.4% larger than aid received by Samford University students ($54,830 vs. $22,530).

Samford University vs. Berea College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or Berea College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Berea College and Samford University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 90 points higher than at Samford University (1160).
• Incoming Samford University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Berea College (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Samford University 1070/1250; Berea College 1156/1335.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Samford University 22/28; Berea College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Samford University - Test optional; Berea College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027; Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Berea College (3.62).
• Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.4%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford University vs. 53.8% at Berea College.

Samford University vs. Berea College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Samford University and Berea College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Samford University earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $16,700 lower median loan debt than Samford University graduates ($5,800 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $173 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Samford University graduates ($59 vs. $232).
• More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berea College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.