Birmingham, Alabama · ★ — / 5 Overall

Google Places photo by Samford University. Google Maps
Private not-for-profit · 4-year · Doctoral
Samford University is a private Christian university in Homewood, Alabama, United States. Homewood is an inner-suburb of Birmingham. Samford was founded by Baptists in 1841 as Howard College and located until 1887 in Marion, Alabama. It is governed by an independent board of trustees, which requires board members to be Baptists. In fall 2025, the university enrolled 6,522 students from 46 states, 1 U.S. territory, and 12 other countries, marking the 18th consecutive record-setting year for enrollment.
National Universities
Ranked #185 in National Universities (2025). Source: US News ↗
National rank
Ranked #254 in Forbes Top Colleges (2026). Source: Forbes ↗
Value rank
Ranked #1114 on Washington Monthly Best Bang for the Buck. Source: WM Best Value ↗
Unfiltered student reviews about the real
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800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama, 35229-2240
Visit University Site25th–75th percentile
SAT total: 1070–1260
SAT ERW: 550–650
SAT math: 520–610
ACT composite: 23–29
Total: 5,791
Undergrad: 3,832
Undergrad full-time: 3,778
Graduate: 1,959
Part-time: 237
In-state
Tuition: $38,144
Total cost on campus: $57,456
Out-of-state
Tuition: $38,144
Total cost on campus: $57,456
Room & board: $12,160
Books & supplies: $1,200
Receive aid: 100%
Avg grant aid: $21,758
Pell grant recipients: 11%
Rent: $661 / mo
Average city asking rent, as a roommate share. Zillow Observed Rent Index.
Coffee: $4.50
State average cafe price. Numbeo, 2024.
Gas: $4.08 / gal
State average price. AAA.
Average meal: $8.89
Published board plan, per meal. IPEDS.