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Belmont Auburn SPU Berry College Lipscomb Birmingham Southern College UW-Seattle MC Seattle U Alabama Whitworth University Lee University| Samford University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Samford University | PLU | ||
| Location | Birmingham, AL | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 5,682 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #213 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | samford.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Samford University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $35,750 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $35,750 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,264 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $31,803 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $20,711 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 99% |
Admission |
Samford University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,337 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 3,611 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 83.3% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 27% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.84 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 23/29 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1080/1270 | 1253/1423 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | May 1, 2024 | Aug 15, 2024 |
Academics |
Samford University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Samford University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 70% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $57,400 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $266 |
Diversity |
Samford University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 32% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 68% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 81% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Samford University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 25% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 74% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Samford University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Samford University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 2,633 students)
Samford University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Samford University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 38.4% more expensive to attend than Samford University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $35,750.00)
- Out of state tuition is 38.4% higher at PLU than Samford University ($49,472.00 vs. $35,750.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Samford University ($24,825 vs. $31,803)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 5% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($11,264 vs. $11,826)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Samford University as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 75.9% larger than aid received Samford University ($36,435 vs. $20,711)
Samford University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Samford University .
- The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 45 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming Samford University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at PLU (3.71)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Samford University (83.3%)
Samford University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Samford University or PLU? 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 PLU and Samford University.
- The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (70% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Samford University earn on average $5,100 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $52,300)
- Samford University students graduate with a $3,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,800)
- Samford University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($232 vs. $266)
- More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/