Alabama vs. Samford University

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

Alabama Samford University
Location Tuscaloosa, AL Birmingham, AL
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 38,644 5,682
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #404 #213
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ua.edu samford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alabama Samford University
Tuition (In State) $11,100 $35,750
Tuition (Out of State) $31,460 $35,750
Room & Board $14,426 $11,264
Avg Net Price $20,592 $31,803
Avg Grant Aid $15,683 $20,711
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 99%

Admission

Alabama Samford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,072 4,337
Admitted 43,290 3,611
Acceptance Rate 80.1% 83.3%
Enrolled % 18.6% 27%
Avg High School GPA 3.76 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/31 23/29
SAT Range 1130/1410 1080/1270
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, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

Alabama Samford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Alabama Samford University
Graduation Rate 66% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $57,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,750 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $245 $232

Diversity

Alabama Samford University
% Men 43% 32%
% Women 57% 68%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 81%
% Black 11% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Alabama Samford University
% In-State 35% 25%
% Out-of-State 64% 74%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Alabama is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (38,644 students vs. 5,682 students)

Alabama vs. Samford University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Samford University?

  • Samford University is 222.1% more expensive to attend than Alabama for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $11,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.6% higher at Samford University than The University of Alabama ($35,750.00 vs. $31,460.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Alabama than Samford University ($20,592 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 28.1% lower than costs at The University of Alabama ($11,264 vs. $14,426)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than The University of Alabama (99% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 32.1% larger than aid received The University of Alabama ($20,711 vs. $15,683)

Alabama vs. Samford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Alabama (1181) is 19 points higher than at Samford University (1162)
  • Incoming Alabama students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Samford University (26)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Alabama (3.76)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than Alabama (80.1%)

Alabama vs. Samford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alabama or Samford 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 Samford University and Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than The University of Alabama (70% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $7,500 more per year than Alabama graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $49,900)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Alabama graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,750)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Alabama graduates. ($232 vs. $245)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 59%)

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