Samford University vs. LSU

Should I go to Samford University or Louisiana State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Samford University or LSU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Alabama UL Lafayette Belmont Florida State Tulane LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech UH Texas A&M Auburn Berry College Michigan State Lipscomb
Samford University vs. Louisiana State University comparison
Samford University Louisiana State University College 3 College 4
Samford University Louisiana State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Samford University LSU
Location Birmingham, AL Baton Rouge, LA
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,682 37,348
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #367
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu lsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University LSU
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $8,038
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $8,038
Room & Board $11,264 $13,956
Avg Net Price $31,803 $21,296
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $12,374
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Samford University LSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 38,853
Admitted 3,611 29,419
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 75.7%
Enrolled % 27% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.77
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 23/28
SAT Range 1080/1270 1140/1320
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Samford University LSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Samford University LSU
Graduation Rate 70% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $56,900
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $20,900
Median Loan Payment $232 $216

Diversity

Samford University LSU
% Men 32% 44%
% Women 68% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 73%
% Black 7% 12%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Samford University LSU
% In-State 25% 65%
% Out-of-State 74% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Louisiana State University is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (37,348 students vs. 5,682 students)

Samford University vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or LSU?

  • Samford University is 344.8% more expensive to attend than LSU for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 344.8% higher at Samford University than Louisiana State University ($35,750.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University than Samford University ($21,296 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 23.9% lower than costs at Louisiana State University ($11,264 vs. $13,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Louisiana State University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 67.4% larger than aid received Louisiana State University ($20,711 vs. $12,374)

Samford University vs. LSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Louisiana State University (1163) is 1 points higher than at Samford University (1162)
  • Incoming Samford University students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at LSU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at LSU (3.77)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than LSU (75.7%)

Samford University vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Louisiana State University (70% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $500 more per year than LSU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $56,900)
  • Louisiana State University students graduate with a $1,600 lower median federal student loan debt than Samford University graduates. ($20,900 vs. $22,500)
  • LSU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Samford University graduates. ($216 vs. $232)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU 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/