Samford University vs. Pacific

Comparable Facts

Compare Samford University in Birmingham, AL with Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Samford University is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (6,097 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL (Large Suburban setting); Pacific University is in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting).
• Samford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Samford University 14:1; Pacific University 10:1.

Samford University vs. Pacific Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Pacific? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Samford University than Pacific ($34,926 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 16.4% lower than at Pacific University ($13,056 vs. $15,620).
• Pacific University is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Samford University (about $16,224 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at Pacific than at Samford University (about $16,224 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Samford University than at Pacific University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 64.8% larger than aid received by Samford University students ($37,139 vs. $22,530).

Samford University vs. Pacific Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or Pacific? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pacific and Samford University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Samford University (1160) is 90 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming Samford University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Pacific).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Samford University 1070/1250; Pacific University 900/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Samford University 22/28; Pacific University 18/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Samford University - Test optional; Pacific - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027; Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Pacific (3.73).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than Samford University (82.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford University vs. 13.1% at Pacific.

Samford University vs. Pacific Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Samford University and Pacific? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Samford University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Pacific University's (61%).
• Graduates from Samford University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Samford University graduates have a $3,656 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, Samford University graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($232 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Samford University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.