Private Nonprofit Institution Birmingham, AL
Samford University
Four-year college
Samford University is a private nonprofit four-year college in Birmingham, AL, focused on bachelor’s-level study with a suburban campus setting, with about 4,206 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 82.4%, listed tuition around $40,150 and typical net price of $32,622 after grants, first-year retention of 92.9%, about 77.0% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $49,466 six years after enrollment.
Grade for Samford University
Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.
Overall grade
C
Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.
$32,622Average net price
77.0%Graduation rate
$49,466Median earnings, 6 years after entry
11.1%Pell Grant recipient share
Key facts for Samford University
Key rankings for Samford University
Where Samford University ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#1,605 of 1,811
Net Price
#609 of 1,816
Earnings
#179 of 1,808
Retention
#248 of 1,850
Graduation
#376 of 1,767
Debt
What stands out at Samford University
Samford University in Birmingham, AL is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.
- Large suburb
- 4,206 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Both average net price after aid and six-year earnings register above national medians for similar schools, consistent with a higher cost that is paired with stronger early-career pay in this data.
First-year retention and graduation both track at or above national benchmarks for similar schools, suggesting relatively steady progress for students who start here.
The college admits a large share of applicants yet reports a smaller-than-typical Pell Grant share among undergraduates—useful context when discussing affordability with middle- and higher-income families.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Samford University
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is above the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is above the national median of $26,816.
How Samford University compares
Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Southeast (region 5).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (AL) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $32,622Above national median | $18,772 | $18,796 | $19,923 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $49,466Above national median | $38,295 | $39,566 | $45,225 |
| Retention | 92.9%Above national median | 70.1% | 71.9% | 74.9% |
| Graduation | 77.0%Above national median | 50.3% | 48.8% | 54.4% |
| Acceptance rate | 82.4%Above national median | 73.1% | 74.3% | 77.0% |
| Pell share | 11.1%Below national median | 42.5% | 37.9% | 33.9% |
| Median debt | $19,500Below national median | $25,000 | $24,053 | $23,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Samford University
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Samford University
Common questions about Samford University, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Samford University located?
Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Samford University?
Samford University is a private nonprofit four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Samford University (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $40,150 for in-state students and $40,150 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $32,622. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Samford University's acceptance rate?
The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 82.4% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.
How large is Samford University's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 4,206. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Samford University?
Median earnings six years after entry at Samford University are roughly $49,466. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 77.0% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Samford University?
Among similar schools nationwide, Samford University stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#1,605 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#609 of 1,816); First-year retention (#179 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#248 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#376 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Samford University?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Samford University’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Samford University Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Samford University |
| Official website | www.samford.edu/ |
| City, state | Birmingham, AL |
| School type | Four-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,206 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $40,150 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $40,150 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $40,150 |
| Total cost of attendance | $57,456 |
| Room and board (on campus) | $13,056 |
| Average net price | $32,622 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $49,466 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $54,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $58,469 |
| Median loan debt | $19,500 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 92.9% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | 77.0% |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | Not reported |
| Acceptance rate | 82.4% |
| SAT average | 1,201 |
| ACT average | 26 |
| Pell Grant share | 11.1% |
| Share with federal loans | 26.9% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 1.4% |
| Campus setting | Large suburb |
| Student–faculty ratio | 14 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $10,188 |
| Full-time faculty share | 99.0% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | No |
| SAT midpoint, Math | 580 |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | 615 |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 65.1% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 34.9% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 4.8% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 5.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 84.5% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 1.3% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 2.2% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 1.1% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | Not reported |
Sources for Samford University
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.