Samford University vs. Ogelthorpe

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

Samford University Ogelthorpe
Location Birmingham, AL Atlanta, GA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,682 1,491
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #697
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu oglethorpe.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Ogelthorpe
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $43,710
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $43,710
Room & Board $11,264 $14,400
Avg Net Price $31,803 $20,094
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $36,867
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Samford University Ogelthorpe
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 2,816
Admitted 3,611 1,999
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 71%
Enrolled % 27% 21.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.73
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 22/29
SAT Range 1080/1270 1065/1305
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 Ogelthorpe
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • English and Literature (21%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • History (7%)

Outcomes

Samford University Ogelthorpe
Graduation Rate 70% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $49,800
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

Samford University Ogelthorpe
% Men 32% 37%
% Women 68% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 81% 34%
% Black 7% 18%
% Hispanic 5% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 26%

Students

Samford University Ogelthorpe
% In-State 25% 82%
% Out-of-State 74% 16%

Campus

Samford University Ogelthorpe
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 Ogelthorpe based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 1,491 students)

Samford University vs. Ogelthorpe Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Ogelthorpe?

  • Oglethorpe University is 22.3% more expensive to attend than Samford University for in-state tuition ($43,710.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.3% higher at Ogelthorpe than Samford University ($43,710.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oglethorpe University than Samford University ($20,094 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 27.8% lower than costs at Oglethorpe University ($11,264 vs. $14,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Oglethorpe University than Samford University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oglethorpe University students is 78% larger than aid received Samford University ($36,867 vs. $20,711)

Samford University vs. Ogelthorpe Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 22 points higher than at Ogelthorpe (1140)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Ogelthorpe (25)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Ogelthorpe (3.73)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than Ogelthorpe (71%)

Samford University vs. Ogelthorpe Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Oglethorpe University (70% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $7,600 more per year than Ogelthorpe graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $49,800)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Ogelthorpe graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Ogelthorpe graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ogelthorpe students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 53%)

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