Samford University vs. Florida Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Samford University in Birmingham, AL with Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Samford University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (6,097 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL (Large Suburban setting); Florida Southern College is in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting).
• Samford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Samford University 14:1; Florida Southern College 11:1.

Samford University vs. Florida Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern College than Samford University ($29,384 vs. $34,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 9.1% lower than at Florida Southern College ($13,056 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Samford University (about $3,890 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Florida Southern than at Samford University (about $3,890 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Samford University as at Florida Southern College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 39.3% larger than aid received by Samford University students ($31,394 vs. $22,530).

Samford University vs. Florida Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern and Samford University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 80 points higher than at Samford University (1160).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Samford University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Samford University 1070/1250; Florida Southern College 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Samford University 22/28; Florida Southern College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Samford University - Test optional; Florida Southern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027; Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.4%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford University vs. 11% at Florida Southern.

Samford University vs. Florida Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Samford University and Florida Southern? 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).

• Samford University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from Samford University earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Samford University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Samford University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($232 vs. $248).
• More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Southern students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 65%)

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.