Samford University vs. University of South Alabama

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

Samford University University of South Alabama
Location Birmingham, AL Mobile, AL
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,682 13,438
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #684
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu southalabama.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University University of South Alabama
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $8,616
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $17,232
Room & Board $11,264 $8,510
Avg Net Price $31,803 $15,664
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $7,686
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Samford University University of South Alabama
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 12,550
Admitted 3,611 8,203
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 65.4%
Enrolled % 27% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.69
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 20/26
SAT Range 1080/1270 1003/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Samford University University of South Alabama
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 (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Samford University University of South Alabama
Graduation Rate 70% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $253

Diversity

Samford University University of South Alabama
% Men 32% 32%
% Women 68% 68%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 81% 59%
% Black 7% 24%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Samford University University of South Alabama
% In-State 25% 73%
% Out-of-State 74% 25%

Campus

Samford University University of South Alabama
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

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 5,682 students)

Samford University vs. University of South Alabama Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or University of South Alabama?

  • Samford University is 314.9% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 107.5% higher at Samford University than University of South Alabama ($35,750.00 vs. $17,232.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than Samford University ($15,664 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 32.4% lower than costs at Samford University ($8,510 vs. $11,264)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than University of South Alabama (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 169.5% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($20,711 vs. $7,686)

Samford University vs. University of South Alabama Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 117 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at University of South Alabama (23)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at University of South Alabama (3.69)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

Samford University vs. University of South Alabama Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or University of South Alabama? 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 University of South Alabama and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than University of South Alabama (70% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $12,200 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $45,200)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,500)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($232 vs. $253)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 45%)

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