Samford University vs. SPU

Should I go to Samford University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Samford University or SPU 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. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Samford University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Samford University Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

Samford University SPU
Location Birmingham, AL Seattle, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,682 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #270
Religious Affiliation Baptist Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University SPU
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $36,504
Room & Board $11,264 $14,409
Avg Net Price $31,803 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Samford University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 3,895
Admitted 3,611 3,533
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 90.7%
Enrolled % 27% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 20/27
SAT Range 1080/1270 1080/1350
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 Jul 11, 2024

Academics

Samford University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Samford University SPU
Graduation Rate 70% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $232 $264

Diversity

Samford University SPU
% Men 32% 31%
% Women 68% 69%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 61%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 8%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Samford University SPU
% In-State 25% 71%
% Out-of-State 74% 26%

Campus

Samford University SPU
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 SPU based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 3,118 students)

Samford University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or SPU?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 2.1% more expensive to attend than Samford University for in-state tuition ($36,504.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.1% higher at SPU than Samford University ($36,504.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than Samford University ($26,549 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 27.9% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($11,264 vs. $14,409)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Samford University as Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 22.4% larger than aid received Samford University ($25,359 vs. $20,711)

Samford University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 17 points higher than at SPU (1145)
  • Incoming Samford University students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at SPU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Samford University (83.3%)

Samford University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or SPU? 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 SPU and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Samford University (74% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $7,000 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $50,400)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $3,103 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,603)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($232 vs. $264)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Samford University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)

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