Samford University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Samford University
Set on a classic red brick campus, Samford is known for small classes, close faculty mentorship, and a liberal arts core that pairs well with career-minded study in the arts, sciences, business, health fields, education, and public service. Students lean on a bright library, labs and studios, recital and performance spaces, a bustling rec center, and a chapel that anchors campus rhythms. Support runs deep, from advising and tutoring to counseling and a hands-on career center.
Life here skews community first. You'll find music and theater groups, service projects, faith gatherings, Greek life, and plenty of intramurals, with trails and city parks close by. Birmingham adds real-world access to hospitals, firms, nonprofits, courts, and media, so internships feel built into the week. The culture prizes civility, purpose, and tradition, with the lively Step Sing standing out every year. Alumni include coach Bobby Bowden and actor Tony Hale.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Samford University offers 87 degree programs across 22 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,650 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (20 programs, 639 graduates), Business (7 programs, 261 graduates), Law (4 programs, 166 graduates), Education (7 programs, 114 graduates) and Communication (2 programs, 73 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (20 programs, 639 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | 102 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2001 |
| Registered Nursing | 102 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | 86 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2010 |
| Public Health | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2201 |
| Physical Therapy | 36 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Physician Assistant | 35 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Nurse Anesthesia | 31 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3804 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 31 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3805 |
| Nursing Administration | 30 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3802 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 29 |
|
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Pre-Physical Therapy | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1109 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0201 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | 15 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3810 |
| Pre-Medicine | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1102 |
| Dietetics | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.3101 |
| Nursing Practice | 9 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Emergency Room and Trauma Nursing | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3816 |
| Health Administration and Management | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0701 |
| Health Information Administration | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0706 |
| Medical Informatics | 1 |
|
Master's
|
51.2706 |
Business (7 programs, 261 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 80 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Finance, General | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Marketing Management | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Accounting | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Business Economics | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
| Organizational Leadership | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0213 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
Law (4 programs, 166 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 153 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Health Law | 5 |
|
Master's
|
22.0208 |
| Legal Research and Professional Studies | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22.0299 |
| Corporate and Securities Law | 3 |
|
Master's
|
22.0205 |
Education (7 programs, 114 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 35 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Multiple Level Teacher Education | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1206 |
| Educational and Curriculum Supervision | 19 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.0404 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| Music Teacher Education | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Elementary Education | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Special Education Teaching | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.1001 |
Communication (2 programs, 73 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journalism | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
Arts (12 programs, 72 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Design | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0408 |
| Graphic Design | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Voice and Opera Performance | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0908 |
| Musical Theatre | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Theatre Arts | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Studio Arts, General | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Music Technology | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0913 |
| Music | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0411 |
| Music Performance | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0903 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0907 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
Theology (5 programs, 67 graduates)
Theological Studies, Ministry Preparation and Religious Leadership
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divinity and Ministry | 41 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
39.0602 |
| Missionary Studies | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
39.0301 |
| Theological Studies | 7 |
|
Master's
|
39.0601 |
| Biblical Studies | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
39.0201 |
| Lay Ministry | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
39.0705 |
Human Sciences (2 programs, 57 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development and Family Studies | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
19.0701 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19.0501 |
Psychology (1 programs, 41 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Public Services (2 programs, 31 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 24 |
|
Master's
|
44.0701 |
| Public Administration | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0401 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Samford University.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Samford University
How much does it cost to attend Samford University?
The annual tuition at Samford University is $38,144 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $57,456 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,160 (on) / $20,139 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Samford University offer?
Samford University offers 87 academic programs across 22 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (20 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (7 programs)
- Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice (4 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (7 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Samford University?
Samford University has an 82.2% acceptance rate and a 28.9% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 4,541
- Students admitted: 3,734
- Students enrolled: 1,080
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Samford University?
Samford University provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $21,758 and average loans of $8,410.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,348
- State/Local grants: $2,120
- Institutional grants: $20,527
- Federal loans: $5,270
The university supports 970 students with grants and 334 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Samford University graduates?
Samford University graduates earn a median salary of $49,466 after 6 years and $58,469 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $38,802 (25th percentile) to $91,693 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $124,000 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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