Samford University vs. Southern Adventist University

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

Samford University Southern Adventist University
Location Birmingham, AL Collegedale, TN
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,791 3,154
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #592
Religious Affiliation Baptist Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu southern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Southern Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $24,350
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $24,350
Room & Board $12,160 $8,460
Avg Net Price $32,176 $25,374
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $12,495
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Samford University Southern Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 2,731
Admitted 3,734 1,819
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 66.6%
Enrolled % 28.9% 41.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.59
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 18/26
SAT Range 1070/1260 970/1270
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, 2026

Academics

Samford University Southern Adventist University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)

Outcomes

Samford University Southern Adventist University
Graduation Rate 70% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $274

Diversity

Samford University Southern Adventist University
% Men 11% 3%
% Women 23% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 81% 48%
% Black 7% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 21%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Samford University Southern Adventist University
% In-State 23% 20%
% Out-of-State 77% 77%

Campus

Samford University Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (5,791 students vs. 3,154 students)

Samford University vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Southern Adventist University?

  • Samford University is 52.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Adventist University for in-state tuition ($37,144.00 vs. $24,350.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.5% higher at Samford University than Southern Adventist University ($37,144.00 vs. $24,350.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Adventist University than Samford University ($25,374 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 43.7% lower than costs at Samford University ($8,460 vs. $12,160)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Samford University as Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 74.1% larger than aid received Southern Adventist University ($21,758 vs. $12,495)

Samford University vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.2%) than Southern Adventist University (66.6%)

Samford University vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Southern Adventist University (70% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $12,800 more per year than Southern Adventist University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $44,600)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,500)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($232 vs. $274)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 63%)

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