Samford University vs. Spelman

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

Belmont Auburn Berry College Lipscomb Birmingham Southern College Howard Morehouse Georgia State MC Alabama CAU Lee University
Samford University vs. Spelman College comparison
Samford University Spelman College College 3 College 4
Samford University Spelman College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Samford University Spelman
Location Birmingham, AL Atlanta, GA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,791 3,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #324
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu spelman.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Spelman
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $26,915
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $26,915
Room & Board $12,160 $16,293
Avg Net Price $32,176 $37,403
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $11,994
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Samford University Spelman
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 10,610
Admitted 3,734 3,617
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 34.1%
Enrolled % 28.9% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.75
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 23/29 21/27
SAT Range 1070/1260 1060/1270
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Samford University Spelman
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • English and Literature (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Samford University Spelman
Graduation Rate 70% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $51,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

Samford University Spelman
% Men 11% 7%
% Women 23% 73%
Racial Diversity Very Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 81% 0%
% Black 7% 96%
% Hispanic 5% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Samford University Spelman
% In-State 23% 21%
% Out-of-State 77% 78%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than Spelman based on total student enrollment (5,791 students vs. 3,633 students)

Samford University vs. Spelman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Spelman?

  • Samford University is 38% more expensive to attend than Spelman for in-state tuition ($37,144.00 vs. $26,915.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38% higher at Samford University than Spelman College ($37,144.00 vs. $26,915.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Samford University than Spelman ($32,176 vs. $37,403)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 34% lower than costs at Spelman College ($12,160 vs. $16,293)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Spelman College (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 81.4% larger than aid received Spelman College ($21,758 vs. $11,994)

Samford University vs. Spelman Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 147 points higher than at Spelman (1015)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Spelman (22)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Spelman (3.75)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.2%) than Spelman (34.1%)

Samford University vs. Spelman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Spelman is higher than Samford University (77% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $6,100 more per year than Spelman graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $51,300)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Spelman graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Spelman graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 47%)

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