Founded in 1841, 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
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 6,522 students from 46 states and 12 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 Wall Street Journal ranked Samford 7th in the nation for the quality of learning opportunities provided to its students (2026). U.S. News & World Report ranked Samford 93rd in the nation and among the top three national universities affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) for 2027. It is the highest-ranked comprehensive Christ-centered university in the South. U.S. News & World Report also ranked Samford as the Best Value among all Alabama four-year universities for 2027. 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 accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and 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 and Life Preparation
The Wall Street Journal ranked Samford 3rd of all colleges and universities in the nation for the quality of career preparation provided to its students (2026). Beyond its academic focus, Samford’s mission is to nurture students intellectually, ethically and spiritually, which is fostered through an array of opportunities, including over 200 student organizations, global engagement in 19 different countries and dozens of courses that incorporate community service. Additionally, undergraduate students complete Samford Commons, Samford’s distinctive general education 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, 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 60,374 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 90 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 97% alongside an impressive group of peer institutions 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.
