Samford University Guides 2024.3.0

Samford University, a private institution located in suburban Birmingham, Alabama, holds a distinguished position in national rankings and is steeped in a Christian mission. Established in 1841, it ranks as the 87th-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, with an enrollment of 5,471 students originating from 47 states and 29 countries. The university comprises ten academic units, including arts, business, health professions, law, and public health.

In the 2017 U.S. News and World Report rankings, Samford secured the 4th position among regional universities in the South and was recognized as having a strong commitment to teaching. It has received accolades for its academic programs and affordability from reputable sources such as Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Forbes, and The Princeton Review.

Samford provides a diverse array of educational offerings, including 30 undergraduate and graduate/professional degrees. Students can pursue 166 undergraduate majors and 71 graduate programs across various fields. Additionally, the College of Health Sciences plans to expand its offerings significantly in the coming years.

The university's favorable faculty-to-student ratio of 1:12 ensures personalized attention, as all classes are taught by faculty members rather than teaching assistants.

With 114 student organizations and 15 Greek-letter organizations, alongside opportunities for participation in intramural sports and numerous cultural events, Samford encourages a vibrant campus life. The surrounding Birmingham area is home to a burgeoning arts scene and acclaimed dining options, while outdoor recreational areas are conveniently accessible. Distinguished for its architectural beauty, the 247-acre campus invites student engagement with its numerous green spaces.

Notably, Samford students contribute over 700,000 hours annually to various service initiatives worldwide, reflecting a commitment to community involvement.

The university maintains several cherished traditions such as Step Sing—a large-scale talent show—along with homecoming events and community days that foster student engagement.

Samford's alumni network exceeds 50,000 individuals, featuring prominent figures like U.S. congressmen, state governors, Supreme Court justices, Rhodes Scholars, and award-winning artists across different fields.

In athletics, Samford fields 17 varsity teams competing at the NCAA Division I level within the Southern Conference. It boasts an impressive Graduation Success Rate (GSR) ranking of #1 in Alabama and among conference peers with an average score of 99 percent; several teams have achieved perfect scores. The football team's GSR ties it with prestigious institutions like Princeton and Columbia for the highest rank among NCAA Division I-FCS programs.