Private not-for-profit

Medium

Southern Conference

Samford University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT Range1080 to 1240

ACT Range22 to 28

Average GPA3.88

Acceptance Rate82.4%

Samford’s 82% acceptance rate means your strategy should be to show a clear academic fit, not to treat admission as a long shot. Because ACT scores are still commonly submitted here, a 28 ACT or higher, paired with strong grades near its 3.88 average GPA, gives you a useful benchmark for when submitting scores makes sense.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

Samford University facts and stats

Quick Facts

Samford University enrolls about 4,210 undergraduates in a suburban campus setting. Samford has a 93% freshman retention rate, well above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 77%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1.

Location

Birmingham, AL

Undergrad Enrollment4,210

Freshman Retention93%

SettingSuburban

Student to Faculty Ratio13:1

Graduation Rate77%

Test PolicyTest-optional

How do your scores compare at Samford?

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Key Samford University application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

May 1

Early Action

Offered

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

July 15

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

Samford is test-optional, so if you choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, aim for your first test by spring of junior year. Use the summer before senior year and an October fall retake to improve your superscore, since October is typically the last safe retake for Early Action timing.

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What you'll actually pay

Samford is a private not-for-profit, so the same tuition and fees rate applies to all students. Tuition and fees are $40,150, and 46% of students receive aid. The average merit award is $19,212; submit the FAFSA by the July 15 priority deadline.

Tuition and Fees$40,150

Room and Board$14,743

Average Merit Award$19,212

Application Fee$40

Students on Aid46%

Average Aid Package$27,660

Average Debt at Grad$31,310

Samford’s listed cost of attendance is about $54,893, including $40,150 in tuition and fees and $14,743 for room and board. Aid is a major factor: 46% of students receive aid, with an average package of $27,660. Merit awards average $19,212, and listed scholarship thresholds generally start at a 3.00 GPA, with some at 3.30. Graduates leave with an average debt of $31,310.