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Samford University
Samford University says yes to 82.4% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $58,469 median earnings.
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Samford University occupies suburban Birmingham, AL — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. The school maintains its Baptist affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, where graduates median $119,888 four years out. 11.1% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 4,206 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 92.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1070 and 1260 — above the AL middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Samford University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Samford University received 4,541 applications and admitted 3,734 (82.2%), with 1,080 enrolling.
You can apply to Samford University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 1070 and 1260; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 550 | 600 | 650 |
| SAT Math | 520 | 560 | 610 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 25 | 29 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Samford University compares
| Samford University | Alabama median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 82.4% | 74.8% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $40,150 | $12,535 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $58,469 | $44,312 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Samford University: $58,469 median at year ten, versus $44,312 across Alabama institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $40,150 regardless of where you're from. At Samford University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
At 4,206 undergrads, Samford University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
77% of Samford University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 22.2 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $40,150 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Samford University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $119,888 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $93,444 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $90,572 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $76,584 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,517 |
| Marketing | $70,839 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $52,171 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $50,809 |
| Journalism | $50,652 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,117 |
Median earnings for these 10 Samford University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $58,469 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 58 additional Samford University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Samford University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1070–1260 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 82.4% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Samford University's acceptance rate?
82.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,734 admitted from 4,541 applicants.
How much does Samford University cost?
At Samford University, published tuition is $40,150 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Samford University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Samford University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $58,469 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Alabama
- University of South Alabama — 71% admitted
- Spring Hill College — 76.6% admitted
- Stillman College — 62.3% admitted
- United States Sports University — 61.4% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.