Samford University vs. Gannon University

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

Samford University Gannon University
Location Birmingham, AL Erie, PA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,791 4,548
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #440
Religious Affiliation Baptist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu gannon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Gannon University
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $36,865
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $36,865
Room & Board $12,160 $15,610
Avg Net Price $32,176 $23,942
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $27,483
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 82%

Admission

Samford University Gannon University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 6,331
Admitted 3,734 4,856
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 76.7%
Enrolled % 28.9% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.59
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 20/28
SAT Range 1070/1260 990/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

Samford University Gannon University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (29%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Samford University Gannon University
Graduation Rate 70% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $52,900
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

Samford University Gannon University
% Men 11% 17%
% Women 23% 19%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 9%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Samford University Gannon University
% In-State 23% 56%
% Out-of-State 77% 27%

Campus

Samford University Gannon University
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 Gannon University based on total student enrollment (5,791 students vs. 4,548 students)

Samford University vs. Gannon University Cost Comparison

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

  • Samford University is 0.8% more expensive to attend than Gannon University for in-state tuition ($37,144.00 vs. $36,865.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.8% higher at Samford University than Gannon University ($37,144.00 vs. $36,865.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gannon University than Samford University ($23,942 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 28.4% lower than costs at Gannon University ($12,160 vs. $15,610)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Gannon University (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gannon University students is 26.3% larger than aid received Samford University ($27,483 vs. $21,758)

Samford University vs. Gannon University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 127 points higher than at Gannon University (1035)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Gannon University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Gannon University (3.59)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.2%) than Gannon University (76.7%)

Samford University vs. Gannon University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Gannon University (70% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $4,500 more per year than Gannon University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $52,900)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Gannon University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Gannon University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gannon University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 67%)

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