Samford is a leading nationally ranked Christian university renowned for excellence, small enough to foster intentional connections, big enough to offer robust opportunities and committed to cultivating students’ foundational faith. Across our 10 academic schools, students are prepared to powerfully pursue the calling God has on their lives.
Samford Is Nationally Ranked
Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Homewood, the university’s campus covers approximately 247 acres and is renowned for its beauty and Georgian-Colonial style architecture. The university currently enrolls 6,101 students from 49 states and 16 countries.
Recognized for Academic Quality and Value
Samford is regularly recognized as one of the best Christian universities in the United States, receiving high marks for academic quality and value. The university is nationally ranked for career preparation by The Wall Street Journal. Samford is ranked 113th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its annual Best Value ranking (2024). To determine which colleges and universities offer the best value for students, U.S. News & World Report factors academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.
Nationally Accredited
Samford offers undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts and a distinct blend of graduate and professional schools through 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. The university has one of three accredited law schools and one of only two accredited pharmacy schools in Alabama. Samford’s Beeson Divinity School is the only fully accredited graduate divinity school based in Alabama. The university is classified by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as a doctoral/professional institution and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1.
Renowned for Student Engagement and Career Preparedness
Samford’s mission to nurture student development intellectually, ethically and spiritually is fostered through an array of opportunities, including 170 student organizations, global engagement in 11 different countries and dozens of courses that incorporate community service. Additionally, undergraduate students complete Samford’s core curriculum, providing a well-rounded foundation in the liberal arts. The result is a highly-tailored educational experience that results in 97% of undergraduate alumni employed or in further study within six months of graduation.
Equipped for the Future
Samford launched a comprehensive strategic plan, Fidelitas: Faith and Future. The plan, unanimously adopted by the Samford Board of Trustees in December 2022, is aligned along eight themes designed to propel Samford into a prosperous future:
- Academic Distinction
- Student Engagement
- Employee Elevation
- Faith Formation
- Community Celebration
- Athletic Success
- Financial Stewardship
- Global Influence
Accomplished Alumni
Samford’s 57,062 alumni have included more than 60 members of the U.S. Congress, eight state governors, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, one U.S. Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national championship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes.
NCAA Division I Athletics
The university fields 17 intercollegiate sports—eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level. The Samford Bulldogs have won more than 80 conference championships since joining the Southern Conference in 2008. Samford’s athletic teams are among the top schools in the nation in the NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR). The university received an overall score of 98%, ranking 6th place among all Division I universities in the nation.
Apply Today
All prospective undergraduate students must first apply for admission to the university. Note that a few undergraduate programs require additional applications, auditions or interviews. Graduate program application processes vary by school. Visit the individual program pages to learn about them.
Find a Degree
Samford offers 180+ undergraduate majors, minors and concentrations and more than 60 graduate degrees. Find the perfect fit for you.
Request More Info
Samford University has been a pillar for educating with strength and purpose since 1841. We encourage you to take the next step and tell us about yourself. We look forward to providing you with more information about Samford and our outstanding programs.
Visit with Us
The best way to experience the Samford spirit is to meet our people and walk our campus. Students interested in our undergraduate programs can choose from a variety of opportunities just for them. Graduate programs often host open houses with ample opportunities to ask questions. Explore their program pages for details.
