University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Samford University

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

University of Alabama at Birmingham Samford University
Location Birmingham, AL Birmingham, AL
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 21,639 5,682
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #427 #213
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uab.edu samford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alabama at Birmingham Samford University
Tuition (In State) $8,832 $35,750
Tuition (Out of State) $21,216 $35,750
Room & Board $13,120 $11,264
Avg Net Price $16,834 $31,803
Avg Grant Aid $11,142 $20,711
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

University of Alabama at Birmingham Samford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,947 4,337
Admitted 8,622 3,611
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 83.3%
Enrolled % 25.7% 27%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 23/29
SAT Range 1200/1410 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 Jun 1, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

University of Alabama at Birmingham Samford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

University of Alabama at Birmingham Samford University
Graduation Rate 45% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $57,400
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $232

Diversity

University of Alabama at Birmingham Samford University
% Men 37% 32%
% Women 63% 68%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 81%
% Black 25% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of Alabama at Birmingham Samford University
% In-State 82% 25%
% Out-of-State 16% 74%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (21,639 students vs. 5,682 students)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Samford University Cost Comparison

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

  • Samford University is 304.8% more expensive to attend than University of Alabama at Birmingham for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $8,832.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.5% higher at Samford University than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($35,750.00 vs. $21,216.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alabama at Birmingham than Samford University ($16,834 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 16.5% lower than costs at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($11,264 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than University of Alabama at Birmingham (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 85.9% larger than aid received University of Alabama at Birmingham ($20,711 vs. $11,142)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Samford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 15 points higher than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1147)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (25)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (3.82)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Samford University (83.3%)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Samford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham (70% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $11,000 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $46,400)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Samford University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,500)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Samford University graduates. ($222 vs. $232)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 52%)

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