Samford University
#1 Best Nursing Colleges in Alabama- Graduation Rate
- 78% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,469 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $32,622 F
- 90% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Nursing Colleges in Alabama.
Every $1 spent returns $11.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,302,267.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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A 78% graduation rate — 37% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Samford University Matters
Samford University is a private doctoral / professional university in Birmingham, AL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 4,206
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 54
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Communications
Why students choose Samford University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1250. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $32,622 a year after grants and scholarships — 90% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,469 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 91% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Samford University serves a diverse student body of 4,206 with an acceptance rate of 82%. This accessibility makes Samford a practical choice for many students looking for a supportive learning environment. The university's graduation rate stands at 78%, indicating a solid commitment to student success.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility rates and economic connectedness metrics are not available for Samford. However, the school’s focus on programs in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Communications, Visual & Performing Arts, and Education suggests potential pathways for upward mobility in these fields. Graduates often find stable employment, with a ten-year earnings average of $58,469.
The total net price for attending Samford University is $32,622, with a median student debt of $19,500. This financial profile points to a manageable debt load compared to potential earnings. Students who thrive here are likely those interested in the key programs offered, who value a supportive community, and who are looking for a clear path to professional success.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Samford University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Samford University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Samford University, located in Birmingham, Alabama, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,201. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 93%
- SAT Average
- 1201
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1070–1250
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,188
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.28
- First-Gen Students
- 14%
- Applicants
- 4,337
- Admitted
- 3,611
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Samford University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Samford University is $40,150, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $32,622. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,716 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $40,150
- Out-of-State
- $40,150
- Avg Net Price
- $32,622
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 11%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 27%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,716
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $24,812
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $31,527
- Family Income $110K+
- $36,235
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Samford University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Samford University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Samford University earn a median of $58,469, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,466
- 8 Years
- $54,932
- 10 Years
- $58,469
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (481)
- 66%
- 100% (481)
- 66%
- 100% (481)
- 66%
- 100% (481)
- 66%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of Samford University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
How Samford Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Samford University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Samford University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $32,622/year ($130,488 total). Graduates earn $58,469 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,432,755 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,302,267 (11.0× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 78% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $130,488
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,432,755
- Net Return
- $1,302,267
- ROI Multiple
- 11.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $32,622
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Samford University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Samford University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.72%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $131,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.72%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $177,983
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,009,823
- Investment Income
- $-16,205,295
Top Programs
The fields Samford University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 30% $65,289 early-career
- Business & Marketing 23% $62,904 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $40,390 early-career
- Communications 7% $41,235 early-career
- Social Sciences 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Psychology 3% $31,958 early-career
- Education 3% $44,068 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Samford University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Samford University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Samford University, located in Birmingham, Alabama, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,201. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Samford University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Samford University is $40,150, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $32,622. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,716 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is Samford University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Samford University earn a median of $58,469, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Samford University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Samford University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.72%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $131,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Samford University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Samford University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Samford University.
- Xavier UniversityCincinnati, OH · Close peer70% grad $64,873 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Hope CollegeHolland, MI · Close peer81% grad $58,427 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY · Close peer75% grad $63,548 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove, PA · Close peer78% grad $61,723 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News, VA · Close peer73% grad $60,509 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA · Close peer68% grad $56,778 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Samford University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Samford University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note