Samford University vs. Harding University

Should I go to Samford University or Harding University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Samford University or Harding 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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Samford University vs. Harding University comparison
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Samford University Harding University
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Overview

Samford University Harding University
Location Birmingham, AL Searcy, AR
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 5,791 4,608
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #1021
Religious Affiliation Baptist Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu harding.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Harding University
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $24,240
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $24,240
Room & Board $12,160 $9,940
Avg Net Price $32,176 $21,069
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $15,325
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Samford University Harding University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 2,202
Admitted 3,734 2,202
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 100%
Enrolled % 28.9% 39.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 21/28
SAT Range 1070/1260 1050/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Samford University Harding University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Samford University Harding University
Graduation Rate 70% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

Samford University Harding University
% Men 11% 9%
% Women 23% 15%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 83%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Samford University Harding University
% In-State 23% 28%
% Out-of-State 77% 68%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than Harding University based on total student enrollment (5,791 students vs. 4,608 students)

Samford University vs. Harding University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Harding University?

  • Samford University is 53.2% more expensive to attend than Harding University for in-state tuition ($37,144.00 vs. $24,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.2% higher at Samford University than Harding University ($37,144.00 vs. $24,240.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harding University than Samford University ($21,069 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 22.3% lower than costs at Samford University ($9,940 vs. $12,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Harding University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 42% larger than aid received Harding University ($21,758 vs. $15,325)

Samford University vs. Harding University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 27 points higher than at Harding University (1135)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Harding University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Harding University (3.71)
  • Harding University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Samford University (82.2%)

Samford University vs. Harding University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or Harding 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 Harding University and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Harding University (70% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $12,600 more per year than Harding University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $44,800)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harding University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

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