When choosing a college or university, it’s essential to consider various factors, including cost, admission difficulty, academics, diversity, and campus life. In this article, we will compare two Alabama institutions: Auburn University and Samford University. By examining each school’s unique offerings and features, we aim to provide prospective students with the information they need to make an informed decision about their educational future.
Auburn University Overview
Auburn University is a public research institution located in Auburn, Alabama. Established in 1856, Auburn is the second-largest university in the state, with over 30,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including engineering, agriculture, business, and liberal arts.
Auburn Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Auburn University varies based on a student’s residency status. In-state students can expect to pay around $11,796 per year, while out-of-state students will pay approximately $31,956. Financial aid is available to eligible students, with over 70% of Auburn students receiving some form of financial assistance.
Auburn Admissions
Auburn University has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 81%. Prospective students are required to submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a completed application. The average ACT score for admitted students is 25-31, while the average SAT score falls between 1160-1320.
Auburn Degrees Offered
Auburn University offers over 140 undergraduate degrees across various fields of study. Some popular majors include engineering, business, agriculture, and education. Additionally, the university provides numerous graduate and professional degree programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.
Auburn Academics
Auburn has a strong focus on research and provides students with ample opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences. The university’s faculty is renowned for their expertise and dedication to teaching, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1. Additionally, numerous resources are available to support student success, including academic advising, tutoring services, and study abroad programs.
Auburn Diversity
Auburn is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university offers various programs and resources to support underrepresented students, including the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, which provides diversity education and programming. Additionally, Auburn offers a wide range of clubs and organizations that promote cultural awareness and inclusivity.
Auburn Students
Auburn’s student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The university has a vibrant campus life, offering numerous extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations to suit various interests. Auburn is also home to a competitive athletic program, with its sports teams competing in NCAA Division I.
Auburn Campus
Auburn’s campus covers over 1,800 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, libraries, and recreational spaces. The university also boasts a wide range of on-campus housing options and dining services, making it easy for students to find their home away from home.
Auburn Alumni
Auburn has a strong alumni network, with graduates finding success in various industries. Some notable alumni include Apple CEO Tim Cook, astronaut Kathryn Thornton, and former NFL player Bo Jackson.
Auburn Rankings
Auburn is consistently ranked among the top national universities by publications like U.S. News & World Report. The university is also recognized for its strong engineering, business, and agricultural programs.
Auburn Outcomes
Graduates of Auburn University have a strong track record of success in both the workforce and graduate school. The university reports a high job placement rate and a median starting salary of around $50,000 for recent graduates. Additionally, Auburn alumni are known for their strong work ethic and exceptional problem-solving skills.
Samford University Overview
Samford University is a private Christian institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1841, Samford is the largest privately funded and oldest university in the state, with over 5,600 students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs. The university offers various academic programs in areas such as arts and sciences, business, health professions, and law.
Samford Costs & Tuition
As a private institution, Samford’s tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the total cost of attendance is approximately $49,650, which includes tuition, fees, housing, and meals. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with over 90% of Samford students receiving some form of financial assistance.
Samford Admissions
Samford’s admissions process is competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 83%. Prospective students are required to submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a completed application. The average ACT score for admitted students is 23-29, while the average SAT score falls between 1080-1290.
Samford Degrees Offered
Samford University offers over 170 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations across various fields of study. Some popular majors include business, nursing, and education. Additionally, the university provides numerous graduate and professional degree programs, including master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees.
Samford Academics
Samford prides itself on providing a rigorous and personalized education to its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, Samford offers small class sizes and individualized attention from its dedicated faculty. The university also provides various resources to support student success, including academic advising, tutoring services, and study abroad programs.
Samford Diversity
Samford is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university offers various programs and resources to support underrepresented students, including the Office of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives, which provides diversity education and programming. Additionally, Samford offers a wide range of clubs and organizations that promote cultural awareness and inclusivity.
Samford Students
Samford’s student body is diverse, with students from 41 states and 29 countries. The university has a vibrant campus life, offering numerous extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations to suit various interests. Samford is also home to a competitive athletic program, with its sports teams competing in NCAA Division I.
Samford Campus
Samford’s beautiful campus covers over 200 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, libraries, and recreational spaces. The university also offers a variety of on-campus housing options and dining services, making it easy for students to find their home away from home.
Samford Alumni
Samford has a strong alumni network, with graduates finding success in various industries. Some notable alumni include journalist and author Wayne Flynt, former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones, and former NFL player Cortland Finnegan.
Samford Rankings
Samford is consistently ranked among the top regional universities in the South by publications like U.S. News & World Report. The university is also recognized for its strong business, nursing, and education programs.
Samford Outcomes
Graduates of Samford University have a strong track record of success in both the workforce and graduate school. The university reports a high job placement rate and a median starting salary of around $45,000 for recent graduates. Additionally, Samford alumni are known for their strong work ethic, exceptional problem-solving skills, and commitment to service.
Auburn vs Samford University Cost Comparison
Comparing the costs of attending Auburn and Samford requires considering both tuition and the overall cost of attendance. For in-state students, Auburn is the more affordable option, with an annual tuition cost of $11,796 compared to Samford’s $49,650. Out-of-state students will also find Auburn more affordable, with tuition at $31,956 per year.
However, it is essential to factor in financial aid opportunities at both institutions. While Auburn offers financial assistance to over 70% of its students, Samford provides aid to more than 90% of its students. This could help level the playing field in terms of overall affordability.
Auburn vs Samford University Admissions Difficulty
Both Auburn and Samford have competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 81% and 83%, respectively. However, Auburn typically has slightly higher average ACT and SAT scores for admitted students, indicating a more competitive applicant pool. Prospective students should research each institution’s admissions requirements and prepare accordingly to increase their chances of being accepted.
Auburn vs Samford University Academic Difficulty
In terms of academic rigor, both Auburn and Samford offer challenging and high-quality educational experiences for their students. Auburn is a large public research university, which means students will have access to a broad range of academic programs and research opportunities. In contrast, Samford is a smaller, private Christian institution focused on providing personalized attention and a values-based education.
When considering academic difficulty, students should consider factors such as class size, faculty reputation, and available resources. Both universities provide strong academic support services, including academic advising and tutoring.
Auburn vs Samford University Outcome Comparison
Comparing the outcomes for graduates of Auburn and Samford, both universities boast high job placement rates and median starting salaries for recent graduates. Auburn graduates earn an average starting salary of around $50,000, while Samford graduates earn around $45,000.
Alumni from both schools are known for their strong work ethic and problem-solving skills, which can lead to success in various industries. Ultimately, the choice between Auburn and Samford will depend on a student’s individual goals, desired academic environment, and financial situation.
