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Belmont Auburn Berry College Lipscomb Birmingham Southern College Campbell University MC Alabama Wingate University Lenoir-Rhyne University Lee University University of Alabama at Birmingham| Samford University | Gardner Webb University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Samford University | GWU | ||
| Location | Birmingham, AL | Boiling Springs, NC | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 5,682 | 3,144 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #213 | #639 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist | Southern Baptist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | samford.edu | gardner-webb.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Samford University | GWU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $35,750 | $31,220 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $35,750 | $31,220 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,264 | $10,770 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $31,803 | $22,339 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $20,711 | $24,130 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
Samford University | GWU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,337 | 5,728 | ||
| Admitted | 3,611 | 4,293 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 83.3% | 74.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 27% | 9.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.84 | 3.74 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 23/29 | 20/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1080/1270 | 1020/1210 | ||
| 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 |
Academics |
Samford University | GWU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Samford University | GWU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 70% | 55% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $57,400 | $40,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 52% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $24,969 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $258 |
Diversity |
Samford University | GWU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 32% | 32% | ||
| % Women | 68% | 68% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 81% | 67% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 17% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 0% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 10% |
Students |
Samford University | GWU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 25% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 74% | 41% | ||
Campus |
Samford University | GWU | ||
| 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 GWU based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 3,144 students)
Samford University vs. GWU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Samford University or GWU?
- Samford University is 14.5% more expensive to attend than GWU for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $31,220.00)
- Out of state tuition is 14.5% higher at Samford University than Gardner Webb University ($35,750.00 vs. $31,220.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gardner Webb University than Samford University ($22,339 vs. $31,803)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 4.6% lower than costs at Samford University ($10,770 vs. $11,264)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than Samford University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 16.5% larger than aid received Samford University ($24,130 vs. $20,711)
Samford University vs. GWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or GWU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between GWU or Samford University .
- The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 185 points higher than at GWU (977)
- Incoming Samford University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at GWU (21)
- Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at GWU (3.74)
- Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than GWU (74.9%)
Samford University vs. GWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Samford University or GWU? 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 GWU and Samford University.
- The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Gardner Webb University (70% vs. 55%)
- Graduates from Samford University earn on average $16,900 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $40,500)
- Samford University students graduate with a $2,469 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,969)
- Samford University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
- More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 52%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/