Samford University vs. Middle Tennessee State University

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

Samford University Middle Tennessee State University
Location Birmingham, AL Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,791 20,183
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #666
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $7,536
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $27,072
Room & Board $12,160 $11,704
Avg Net Price $32,176 $12,700
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $9,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Samford University Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 14,763
Admitted 3,734 10,039
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 68%
Enrolled % 28.9% 31.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.64
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 19/26
SAT Range 1070/1260 1000/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Samford University Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Samford University Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 70% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $232 $224

Diversity

Samford University Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 11% 5%
% Women 23% 8%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 64%
% Black 7% 22%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Samford University Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 23% 89%
% Out-of-State 77% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (20,183 students vs. 5,791 students)

Samford University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Samford University is 392.9% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($37,144.00 vs. $7,536.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.2% higher at Samford University than Middle Tennessee State University ($37,144.00 vs. $27,072.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than Samford University ($12,700 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 3.9% lower than costs at Samford University ($11,704 vs. $12,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Middle Tennessee State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 118.8% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($21,758 vs. $9,942)

Samford University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 131 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1031)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.2%) than Middle Tennessee State University (68%)

Samford University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (70% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $15,100 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $42,300)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $742 lower median federal student loan debt than Samford University graduates. ($21,758 vs. $22,500)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Samford University graduates. ($224 vs. $232)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 50%)

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