Samford University vs. WKU

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

Samford University WKU
Location Birmingham, AL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,682 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #875
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University WKU
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $27,000
Room & Board $11,264 $11,072
Avg Net Price $31,803 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Samford University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 7,505
Admitted 3,611 7,276
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 96.9%
Enrolled % 27% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 18/25
SAT Range 1080/1270 980/1170
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 1, 2024

Academics

Samford University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Samford University WKU
Graduation Rate 70% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $232 $250

Diversity

Samford University WKU
% Men 32% 37%
% Women 68% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Samford University WKU
% In-State 25% 70%
% Out-of-State 74% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Samford University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 5,682 students)

Samford University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or WKU?

  • Samford University is 221.7% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.4% higher at Samford University than Western Kentucky University ($35,750.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Samford University ($12,625 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.7% lower than costs at Samford University ($11,072 vs. $11,264)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Samford University as Western Kentucky University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 101.9% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($20,711 vs. $10,260)

Samford University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 115 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Samford University (83.3%)

Samford University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Western Kentucky University (70% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $20,300 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $37,100)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,250)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($232 vs. $250)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 47%)

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