Published on November 3, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.  
Campus Drone Shot
Samford University generated $1.08 billion in economic output across the state in fiscal year 2025, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

 

Samford University generated $1.08 billion in economic output across Alabama in fiscal year 2025, supporting an estimated 7,646 jobs, $645.8 million in Alabama GDP and $426.3 million in personal income.

These results are according to a new independent study by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

As Alabama’s largest private university and one of the nation’s leading Christian universities, Samford plays a vital role as an employer, investor, destination and source of talent for the state. The report underscores Samford’s contributions to the local and state economy through its year-round operations, capital investment, spending by students who come to Alabama from out of state, and spending associated with visitors to its Homewood campus.

Samford University Economic Impact in Alabama: Key Findings

  • $1.08 billion in statewide economic output, $645.8 million in Alabama GDP and $426.3 million in personal income associated with Samford’s fiscal year 2025 activity
  • An estimated 7,646 jobs supported by that economic activity
  • $473 million in statewide economic output and 3,230 jobs supported by university operations
  • $277.3 million in statewide economic output and 2,334 jobs supported by campus visitor spending
  • $217.7 million in statewide economic output and 1,233 jobs supported by capital investment
  • $111.9 million in statewide economic output and 849 jobs supported by out-of-state student spending

"As Samford University broadens its national profile, the university’s economic footprint increasingly benefits the residents of Alabama. More than $1 billion in economic impact is a testament to Samford’s growing significance to the Birmingham region and Alabama,” said Beck A. Taylor, president of Samford University. “Sustained enrollment growth across two decades has introduced our state to new generations of Samford students, many of whom remained here after graduation to build careers and families. That momentum coincides with Samford expanding investments in faculty, staff and transformative campus construction projects.”

Samford’s economic contribution begins with its ongoing operations. In fiscal year 2025, the university reported $218.7 million in operating expenditures and employed 2,157 faculty, staff and student employees. As the 14th-largest employer in the Birmingham metro area and the largest in the city of Homewood, Samford supports an estimated $473 million in statewide economic output and 3,230 jobs through its operations. As a private university, Samford does not receive state appropriations for general operations.

“Samford’s influence stretches beyond higher education,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, a graduate of Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. “As a net importer of talent, the university fuels our region’s workforce with professionals who thrive in high-demand fields and strengthen many communities.”

Samford Attracts Talent and Strengthens Alabama’s Workforce

Samford brings students and future professionals to Alabama from across the country. In fall 2025, 3,843 of Samford’s 6,324 students, or 60.8%, came from outside Alabama. Their living expenditures, beyond payments made directly to the university, represent dollars drawn into Alabama communities. The study estimates that spending associated with out-of-state students supported $111.9 million in statewide economic output and 849 jobs.

Samford attracts talent to the Birmingham region as well as contributes to the state’s workforce well beyond graduation. Of Samford’s 59,179 living alumni, 29,443, or nearly 50%, reside in Alabama. Of those, 16,865 live outside Jefferson County, illustrating Samford’s alumni presence extends throughout the state.

The study finds that occupations represented among Samford-associated professional profiles overlap with areas of continuing workforce demand in Alabama. Examples include nursing, pharmacy and other health care professions, software development, accounting, and general and operations management. The findings highlight Samford's alumni impact across Alabama, with graduates serving in many professions projected to see continued hiring demand.

Samford Campus Visitors Generate Statewide Economic Activity

Throughout the year Samford draws more than 230,000 unique visitors to its campus in Homewood for athletics, performances, lectures, conferences, admissions activities, alumni and family events, summer camps and other university functions. The study estimates that campus visitor spending supported $277.3 million in statewide economic output, $160.7 million in Alabama GDP, $94.3 million in personal income and 2,334 jobs in fiscal year 2025.

“As a leading employer and home to over 6,500 students, Samford University represents a vitally important institution in Homewood and a powerful engine for our local economy,” said Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress. “I value our collaboration on quality-of-life issues that we share for our community, such as stewardship of Shades Creek and the Greenway. Samford’s success is Homewood’s success, and I am grateful to call it our hometown university.” 

The visitor estimate includes spending associated with lodging, food and beverage, retail, entertainment, public transportation and automobile transportation. Campus residents and employees were excluded from the visitor population used in the study.

Samford Campus Investment Supports Alabama Jobs and Economic Activity

Samford’s capital investment supported an estimated $217.7 million in statewide economic output and 1,233 jobs during fiscal year 2025. The university reported $117.8 million in capital expenditures during the year, an unusually high level of investment driven largely by construction of a 165,000-square-foot Campus Recreation, Wellness & Athletics Complex and new residence halls, adding 653 beds to central and west campus.

About the Study

The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama conducted the study using institutional data provided by Samford University together with external data sources. The study measures economic activity associated with four sources: university operations, capital investment, out-of-state student spending and campus visitor spending.

The current study uses REMI Proseris to estimate the economic activity associated with Samford’s operations, capital investment, out-of-state student spending, and campus visitor spending. It also incorporates analytics for campus visitation and Chmura JobsEQ data for a separate examination of Samford’s workforce development.

MORE: View the full economic impact report.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,522 students from 46 states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.