Samford University vs. CBU

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

Samford University CBU
Location Birmingham, AL Memphis, TN
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,791 2,043
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #588
Religious Affiliation Baptist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu cbu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University CBU
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $37,300
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $37,300
Room & Board $12,160 $10,731
Avg Net Price $32,176 $17,068
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $29,076
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Samford University CBU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 1,105
Admitted 3,734 977
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 88.4%
Enrolled % 28.9% 20.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.67
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 18/23
SAT Range 1070/1260 1040/1300
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

Academics

Samford University CBU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Psychology (18%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Samford University CBU
Graduation Rate 70% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

Samford University CBU
% Men 11% 24%
% Women 23% 18%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 81% 43%
% Black 7% 29%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

Samford University CBU
% In-State 23% 67%
% Out-of-State 77% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than CBU based on total student enrollment (5,791 students vs. 2,043 students)

Samford University vs. CBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or CBU?

  • Christian Brothers University is 0.4% more expensive to attend than Samford University for in-state tuition ($37,300.00 vs. $37,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.4% higher at CBU than Samford University ($37,300.00 vs. $37,144.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Christian Brothers University than Samford University ($17,068 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christian Brothers University are 13.3% lower than costs at Samford University ($10,731 vs. $12,160)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Samford University as Christian Brothers University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Christian Brothers University students is 33.6% larger than aid received Samford University ($29,076 vs. $21,758)

Samford University vs. CBU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 57 points higher than at CBU (1105)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at CBU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at CBU (3.67)
  • CBU has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Samford University (82.2%)

Samford University vs. CBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Christian Brothers University (70% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $6,800 more per year than CBU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $50,600)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CBU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than CBU graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 53%)

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