Birmingham, AL · Private University
Is Samford University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,469
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$38,144
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,144
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$152,576
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.53x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
79.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$30,795
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Samford University graduates earn $13,469 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Samford University ranked by graduate earnings
25 graduates
109 graduates
38 graduates
33 graduates
19 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Samford University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Samford University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $70,946) and the lowest (Communication and Media Studies: $39,690) is $31,256/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $70,946 | 1.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,122 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $47,836 | 1.3x |
| Marketing | $47,133 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,058 | 1.2x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $41,323 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $39,690 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Samford University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,469 10 years after starting, $13,469 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.5 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.