Students from middle- and upper-income families who want a private university experience with strong long-term earnings outcomes and are comfortable with higher upfront costs. This works especially well for students interested in nursing, business, or finance who value smaller class sizes and personalized attention at a selective institution.
Students at Samford University achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with graduates earning well above typical levels for similar institutions nationwide.
The university delivers particularly impressive results for low-income students, ranking among the top performers nationally for earnings outcomes across income levels.
Samford University delivers strong long-term financial outcomes for graduates, with median earnings of $58,469 ten years after enrollment placing it in the 82nd percentile nationally. As a selective private university in Birmingham, Alabama, Samford combines the personalized attention of a medium-sized institution with career preparation that leads to solid professional outcomes. The university admits a relatively small share of low-income students—about 11% receive Pell Grants—but those who do attend see strong earnings outcomes that rank in the 88th percentile nationally.
Samford's strength lies in professional programs, particularly nursing and business fields, where graduates consistently achieve above-average earnings. The university's "Selective Achievers" mobility profile reflects its ability to deliver strong outcomes for the students it serves, even as access remains limited to families who can manage higher net prices. With completion rates near 80% and loan repayment performance that exceeds national averages, Samford provides a reliable path to career success for students who can afford the investment.
For families seeking a private university experience with measurable career benefits, Samford offers the academic quality and professional preparation that justify its premium pricing. The combination of strong earnings outcomes, high completion rates, and excellent loan repayment performance makes it a solid choice for students who prioritize long-term financial security.
Samford University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that lead directly to stable, well-paying careers. Adult Health Nursing dominates both enrollment and aggregate returns, graduating 101 students annually with median earnings of $54,948, making it the university's economic engine. The program's large scale and strong outcomes reflect Samford's reputation in health sciences and the robust demand for nursing professionals in Alabama and the broader Southeast.
Business and finance programs provide the highest individual earnings potential. Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earn $52,941 with 55 graduates, while related business programs maintain competitive outcomes across the portfolio. Even programs with more modest earnings, such as Digital Marketing at $37,748 for 59 graduates, still prepare students for growing fields with solid career progression potential.
Samford's program mix reflects its focus on professional preparation rather than broad liberal arts education. The concentration in nursing, business, and finance creates clear pathways to employment and explains the university's strong overall earnings performance. As a medium-sized institution, Samford provides focused attention in these high-return fields while maintaining the scale necessary for robust employer relationships and clinical partnerships that support student placement and career development.
Samford University graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that place the institution in the top 20% nationally for financial outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $58,469, with the university ranking in the 82nd percentile for earnings performance. This solid financial foundation reflects Samford's focus on professional preparation and career-oriented programs that connect directly to stable, well-paying fields.
The strongest returns come from Samford's professional programs. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the highest aggregate return program and largest single major, graduating 101 students annually with median earnings of $54,948. Banking and Financial Support Services delivers the highest individual earnings at $52,941 for 55 graduates, while other business-related programs maintain competitive outcomes. Even programs with more modest earnings, such as Digital Marketing at $37,748, still provide graduates with solid career foundations in growing fields.
Samford's loan repayment performance underscores the sustainability of these outcomes. With 82% of borrowers successfully repaying their loans and zero federal loan defaults, graduates demonstrate their ability to manage debt while building careers. The university's focus on professional programs in nursing, business, and finance creates clear pathways to stable employment that supports both immediate financial stability and long-term career growth.
Samford University operates as a premium-priced private institution, with net prices that reflect its selective positioning and comprehensive educational experience. Low-income families pay approximately $21,891 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $27,995, and high-income families pay about $33,894. These prices place Samford in the 15th percentile nationally for affordability, indicating that costs run higher than most institutions, which is typical for selective private universities.
The university's pricing structure requires families to make a significant upfront investment, but this investment is supported by strong financial aid for qualifying students and predictable cost progression across income levels. Students typically graduate with $19,500 in federal loan debt, a manageable amount given the strong earnings outcomes, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans average $31,667. The debt levels, while substantial, remain proportionate to the earning potential that Samford graduates achieve.
What makes Samford's pricing sustainable is the reliability of post-graduation outcomes. With zero federal loan defaults and 82% of borrowers successfully repaying their loans, graduates consistently demonstrate their ability to manage their educational investment. The combination of strong completion rates near 80% and solid median earnings creates a financial foundation that supports debt repayment while building long-term wealth.
Samford University serves a selective student population, with about 11% of students receiving Pell Grants and 14% being first-generation college students. The university admits very few transfer students, with less than 1% of the student body transferring in, reflecting its traditional four-year residential model. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Samford focuses on delivering strong outcomes for the students it enrolls rather than maximizing access across income levels.
Despite limited access, Samford performs exceptionally well for the low-income students who do attend. These graduates earn a median of $59,100 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the 88th percentile nationally for low-income student earnings. This represents a slight earnings lift of $631 compared to higher-income graduates, demonstrating that Samford's programs and support systems help level the playing field for students from different economic backgrounds.
The university's completion rates for Pell recipients—around 65% at six years—while lower than the overall institutional rate, still represent solid outcomes for low-income students at a selective private university. Samford's mobility profile reflects its institutional mission: providing excellent outcomes for a selective group of students rather than serving as a broad-access institution. For the low-income students who do gain admission and can manage the financial requirements, the university delivers some of the strongest earnings outcomes in the country, creating meaningful opportunities for economic advancement.
Samford sits in the "Selective Achievers" quadrant, combining limited access with strong outcomes for enrolled students.
While only 11% of students receive Pell Grants, those low-income graduates achieve earnings in the 88th percentile nationally, demonstrating the university's ability to deliver exceptional mobility outcomes for the students it serves.
Samford University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
