💰 Cost of Attendance at Samford University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$40,760 |
$40,760 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$16,470 |
$16,470 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$57,230 |
$57,230 |
Average Federal Net Price: $30,795 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Regional Discounts?
Because Samford is a private university, there’s no in-state/out-of-state price difference and no WUE or reciprocity programs.
Families should focus on institutional scholarships and need-based aid instead.
Cost of Attendance FAQ
Who sets the COA?
Samford publishes standard budgets each year based on tuition, housing, meals, and allowances for books, travel, and personal expenses.
Why is the net price so much lower than the sticker price?
Because most students receive scholarships or grants. The “average net price” reflects the real out-of-pocket cost after that aid is applied.
Does Samford offer in-state discounts?
No. As a private university, the price is the same for all students, but merit scholarships can significantly reduce costs.
Some competitive or need-based scholarships may also require the CSS Profile,
so be sure to check Samford’s instructions.
Sources:
Samford Estimated Undergraduate COA – https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Financial_Services/2025-26-Estimated-Undergraduate-Cost-of-Attendance-Fall-Spring.pdf
Samford Undergraduate Tuition & Fees – https://www.samford.edu/admission/tuition-and-fees
Samford Financial Aid Overview – https://www.samford.edu/admission/financial-aid
College Scorecard (Average Net Price $30,795) – https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?102049-Samford-University
BigFuture (Archived Net Price $32,176) – https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/samford-university/tuition-and-costs
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Samford automatically reviews admitted students for several major scholarships—no extra app required for most. Values shown reflect current official averages; actual offers depend on academics, test score policy, and up-to-date funding.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Crosland Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1 · 📢 Results: Early spring with aid package
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$17,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~26 ACT✎ ~1240 SAT🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
The Crosland Scholarship is mutually exclusive with the Marion Scholarship. It may be combined with non-mutually-exclusive awards such as the Davis Scholarship or Marvin Mann Legacy award, subject to Samford's institutional aid rules and the final award letter.
💡
Strategic Detail
Automatic merit award named for Samford's first Rhodes Scholar. Samford materials describe partial funding up to $17,500 per year, with strong academic review based on GPA, rigor, and test scores when submitted.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is Samford's stronger automatic academic merit lane. The students with the best chance are admitted freshmen or transfers with at least a 3.5 GPA and strong test scores when submitted, or a similarly strong test-optional academic profile.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Marion Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
The Marion Scholarship cannot be combined with the Crosland Scholarship. It may be combined with awards such as Davis or Marvin Mann Legacy, subject to institutional caps and Samford's final aid offer.
💡
Strategic Detail
Merit scholarship for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Counselor-facing materials describe the Marion Scholarship as averaging around $11,000 per year, with higher amounts possible for stronger candidates.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is Samford's broader automatic academic merit lane. It is most relevant for admitted freshmen and transfers with at least a 3.0 GPA and a solid academic record, especially students who may not reach the Crosland level.
Automatic
Marvin Mann Academic Excellence Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1 · 📢 Results: Early spring with final Samford aid package
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
May be stacked with other eligible Samford institutional merit awards, including National Merit-related awards, subject to total aid limits and the final Samford financial aid offer.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded within the Marvin Mann Scholarships portfolio. External summaries indicate awards between $1,000 and $10,000 for National Merit finalists and related categories.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is restricted to National Merit Finalists who choose Samford as their first-choice institution with NMSC. It is highly valuable, but only applies to a narrow group of students who already reached National Merit Finalist status.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Marvin Mann Legacy Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
This legacy award may stack with Samford merit scholarships such as Crosland, Marion, or Davis, subject to institutional caps and the final award letter.
💡
Strategic Detail
Part of the Marvin Mann Scholarships portfolio. Awarded for legacy affiliation and renewable for up to eight semesters with continued good standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is not an academic competition; it is a small stackable scholarship for admitted students who have a documented Samford or Howard College family connection.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Marvin Mann Ministry Dependent Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
This award may stack with primary merit awards such as Crosland or Marion and with legacy awards, within Samford's institutional aid limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
Award falls within the broader Marvin Mann Scholarships portfolio, which includes several relationship-based and achievement-based scholarship categories.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is restricted money for families connected to full-time paid Christian ministry. It can be meaningful because it may stack with Samford's academic merit awards, but students must be able to document the parent's or guardian's ministry employment.
Automatic
National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
This award can be combined with the Marvin Mann Academic Excellence Scholarship and other eligible Samford institutional merit awards, subject to total aid limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renewable for up to eight semesters when the student maintains a cumulative 3.0 Samford GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is a small but useful stackable award for National Merit Semifinalists who choose Samford. It is not broadly available, but for the students who qualify, it can add another predictable layer to the Samford aid package.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Amounts above are current averages/caps. Crosland and Marion are mutually exclusive; Legacy, Ministry, and Davis awards are stackable. Stacking and total caps per official award letter. All Samford scholarships renew for students in good academic/social standing and full-time status.
Samford is a National Merit sponsor. See university and NMSC sites for current details on how to designate your first-choice school for full consideration.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do these require a separate app? No—admission application is sufficient for most awards. Legacy/Ministry awards require family documentation; National Merit awards use NMSC notification.
Are scores required for merit? Samford is test-optional, but submitting strong scores can boost scholarship levels, especially for Crosland. SAT is superscored for merit; ACT is not superscored for scholarships but is for admission.
What are key deadlines? Dec 1 is the main merit deadline; Feb 15 is the late/final deadline for limited awards/funds.
Values and eligibility are subject to annual update and budget limits; confirm specifics with your official Samford award letter each cycle.
Sources:
https://www.samford.edu/admission/scholarships
https://www.samford.edu/admission/how-to-apply
https://www.samford.edu/beinvolved/scholarship-opportunities/
https://catalog.samford.edu/
https://www.samford.edu/departments/financial-services/
https://www.samford.edu/business/scholarships/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (highly competitive university-level)
These are Samford’s selective, university-level scholarships that require extra steps beyond admission (separate application, leadership/service documentation, sometimes essays/interview). They are awarded to a limited cohort each year and are distinct from automatic merit awards.
App Required
Davis Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~Limited cohort of recipients each year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
This scholarship may stack with Samford merit scholarships or other non-mutually-exclusive awards, but families should always confirm the final package in the official Samford financial aid offer.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Samford University through the Samford application or Common Application. After submitting the admission application, log into the Application Status Page, complete the separate Davis Scholarship application, and document leadership, service, and community engagement.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing community engagement, leadership, academic strength, service record, and alignment with Samford's mission and values.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Competitive leadership and service-based scholarship for entering freshmen. Award is listed at $2,000 per year and is renewable for up to eight semesters for students who remain in good standing and uphold Samford's code of values.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is not just a GPA scholarship. The students with the best chance are entering freshmen who meet the academic floor and can show real leadership, service, and community involvement through a strong separate scholarship application.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
No other university-level competitive/flagship scholarships requiring special steps are published for the freshman cohort at Samford. Additional competitive awards are offered by academic departments, the university fellows program, or the honors college (see those sections for details).
Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships FAQ
Does the Davis Scholarship stack? Yes, it typically stacks with other non-mutually-exclusive university awards, though total Samford aid is subject to institutional caps and final award letter conditions.
Are leadership/service a real factor for competitive awards? Absolutely; Davis applicants are specifically evaluated for significant extracurricular leadership, service, and campus fit—not just GPA/test score.
When do I apply? Once you submit the Common App or Samford app for admission, log into your Application Status Page for access to scholarship applications. Priority deadline: December 1.
Sources:
https://www.samford.edu/admission/scholarships
https://catalog.samford.edu/
https://www.samford.edu/beinvolved/scholarship-opportunities/
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
Beyond headline merit, Samford offers smaller, service- and identity-based awards, arts/music scholarships, and private donor/need-based aid—all of which can add up meaningfully for qualifying families.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Legacy League Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies annually
✓ Renews (3 yrs)
$3,500–$7,500/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Varies by annual Legacy League funding and applicant pool. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Legacy League Scholarships are designed to complement other Samford aid, including merit scholarships, federal aid, state aid, and outside awards, subject to institutional aid limits and the final financial aid package.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Samford Legacy League scholarship process and provide the required financial, personal, and academic materials requested for the annual scholarship cycle.
Selection criteria: Holistic review based on financial need, personal circumstances, academic promise, persistence, and fit with the Legacy League scholarship mission.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Volunteer-supported scholarship program providing substantial renewable aid to Samford students with significant financial need and difficult life circumstances.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is one of Samford's most important hidden-gem opportunities for high-need students. The strongest fits are undergraduates with significant financial need and challenging life circumstances who can tell a clear story through the separate scholarship process.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Music & Marching Band Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies by audition or ensemble cycle
✓ Renews
$500–$4,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Limited by ensemble needs, studio needs, and annual scholarship funding. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Music and marching band scholarships may stack with academic merit awards, but total Samford aid may be limited by tuition, institutional policy, or the final financial aid package.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Samford and complete the required School of the Arts, music, or marching band scholarship process, including audition or participation materials for the appropriate ensemble or performance area.
Selection criteria: Selection is based on audition quality, musical ability, ensemble or studio needs, participation commitment, and available funding.
💡
Strategic Detail
School of the Arts and athletic band awards may support winds, brass, percussion, color guard, majorettes, and other music talent. Band materials indicate awards up to about $4,000 per year, potentially stackable with academic merit up to tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is a practical hidden-gem category for students who already perform. Students with the best chance are musicians, marching band performers, color guard members, percussionists, brass/wind players, or majorettes who audition well and fill a program need.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Preministerial / Bible & Ministry Scholars
📅 Deadline: Varies annually
✓ Renews
$500–$15,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Limited by program funding and annual cohort selection. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Ministry scholars awards may stack with Samford academic merit and other eligible institutional aid, subject to total aid limits and the final Samford award package.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Samford and complete the Preministerial Scholars or Bible and Ministry Scholars application process for eligible ministry-related majors. Students may also need to document ministry calling, church involvement, leadership, or program fit.
Selection criteria: Competitive review based on ministry calling, academic preparation, church involvement, leadership, program fit, and commitment to full-time Christian ministry.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Competitive program for students sensing a call to full-time Christian ministry in approved majors. Program information has described substantial scholarship support plus a separate internship stipend, with earlier releases citing awards around $11,000 per year initially and potential increases for strong performers.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is restricted to students with a serious ministry direction, not just students who want a general scholarship. The best fits are students pursuing approved Bible, ministry, or worship-related programs who can show a clear calling, church involvement, leadership, and commitment to full-time Christian ministry.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Amounts/criteria above are verified against Samford’s official award pages and catalogs. Some donor and music awards are competitive and vary yearly.
- Departmental & Endowed Awards: Multiple small scholarships for STEM, humanities, and education (see department sites, e.g. Angel, Myers, Cox, Murphy, Riggins, Duduit, Patillo, Nigg, et al).
- Communication & Media Awards: Open based on GPA, media work, and engagement with Samford media clubs; requires annual reapplication.
- Institutional Grant Aid: Samford calculates institutional and state/federal grants based on FAFSA/need each year and coordinates all need-based aid internally.
Hidden Gem FAQ
Are these stackable? Yes, most identity, ensemble, music, and donor/need-based awards may stack with named university merit awards.
How do I apply? Some are automatic (need-based), others via departmental/Legacy League forms or audition/portfolio. See individual program or financial aid pages for updated procedures and materials.
How competitive are music/arts awards? Awards for non-majors are available but more competitive in specific ensembles or instruments. Applicants should apply and audition early for strongest consideration.
Sources:
https://www.samford.edu/admission/scholarships
https://samford.edu/departments/music/admission
https://www.samford.edu/arts/scholarships
https://www.samford.edu/legacy-league/
https://www.samford.edu/business/scholarships/
https://catalog.samford.edu/
https://www.samford.edu/arts/ensemble-scholarships
https://www.samford.edu/arts/theatre-dance
https://www.samford.edu/arts/audition
https://www.samford.edu/financial-services/
https://www.samford.edu//beeson-divinity-scholarships
🎖️ Honors College
Samford’s Honors College is a small, selective academic community with separate application and interview requirements. The college offers two signature tracks: University Fellows (Great Books/core honors) and Micah Fellows (service-based honors). While there is no automatic “Honors College” scholarship, students in these cohorts routinely earn the best academic awards and receive dedicated enrichment funding, study abroad, and unique faculty mentorship.
What a Typical Samford Honors Student Looks Like:
Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, ACT 28+ (or SAT 1300+ or CLT 92+), challenging courses, a passion for reading and discussion, and significant service/leadership. Strong essays and teacher recommendations required.
Perks That Matter:
University Fellows: rigorous Great Books curriculum, Italy study trip (sophomore year), enrichment funding, and priority registration.
Micah Fellows: four-year service learning, leadership development, mentored internships, funded travel (including international service), and distinctive community connection.
All tracks: supportive advising, access to competitive fellowships, and research/program enrichment funding.
App Required
Micah Fellows Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies annually
✓ Renews
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~26 ACT✎ ~1260 SAT👥 ~Approximately 12-15 students per cohort. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Micah Fellows funding is designed to layer on top of standard Samford merit aid by supporting program costs, service experiences, and travel rather than replacing the main academic scholarship package.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Samford and complete the Micah Fellows selection process, including required essays, recommendations, and any finalist interview or selection event required for the incoming cohort.
Selection criteria: Selective review based on academic strength, service record, essays, recommendations, leadership, interview performance, and fit with the Micah Fellows mission.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Honors track emphasizing long-term community engagement and Christian service. Typically admits a small cohort of about 12-15 students and may cover program costs and travel in addition to standard Samford merit.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: This is a selective service-focused honors pathway. The strongest candidates are high-service freshmen with strong academics, a clear record of community engagement, and a genuine interest in Christian service and long-term civic involvement.
App Required
University Fellows Program
📅 Deadline: Varies annually
✓ Renews
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~28 ACT✎ ~1300 SAT👥 ~Selective cohort; size varies by year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
University Fellows benefits are designed to layer on top of Samford's merit awards, including awards such as Crosland, Marion, and National Merit, but families should confirm how any funding appears in the final financial aid package.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Samford and complete the University Fellows selection process, including required essays, recommendations, and any finalist interview or selection event required for admission to the program.
Selection criteria: Selective review based on academic strength, essays, recommendations, intellectual curiosity, leadership, interview performance, and fit with the University Fellows honors experience.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Flagship honors experience offering an interdisciplinary core, close faculty mentoring, international study opportunities such as Daniel House in London, and academic enrichment support.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
This is Samford's flagship honors-style academic experience. The strongest candidates are high-achieving students with strong grades, strong test scores when submitted, excellent writing, intellectual curiosity, and a serious interest in the interdisciplinary honors experience.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Honors College at Samford functions as an add-on to core academic scholarships. Fellows and Micah students are eligible for merit scholarships like Crosland, National Merit, and Davis. Cohort funds, enrichment stipends, and research or travel support are program-specific and renewable with participation.
Honors College FAQ
Is admission automatic? No—separate application, essays, and recommendations are required; finalists are interviewed for selection.
Are there extra scholarships just for Honors? No central Honors scholarship, but program-specific awards/funding exist (especially for Micah Fellows and for travel/study/research in both tracks).
Can any major participate? Yes—both programs are open to all majors, though reading- and writing-intensive STEM students should plan carefully for the Fellows curriculum.
Does Honors add time to degree? No—the curriculum is designed to fit four-year plans; capstones and study abroad are accommodated within degree maps.
Sources:
https://www.samford.edu/honors/university-fellows
https://www.samford.edu/honors/micah-fellows
https://www.samford.edu/admission/scholarships
https://catalog.samford.edu/
https://www.samford.edu/arts/italy-study-abroad
https://www.samford.edu/news/university-fellows
⭐ College Specialty
Samford is a private Christian university in Birmingham that has carved out a reputation for preparing graduates in fields where licensure and outcomes really matter. Parents often look at Samford because of its blend of faith-based mission, small-class feel, and programs that punch above their weight in state and national rankings.
Flagship Program: The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing — consistently reports 100% first-time NCLEX pass rates in multiple recent cohorts, making it one of the strongest nursing programs in Alabama.
- Trial Advocacy (Cumberland School of Law): Ranked #4 nationally by U.S. News for Trial Advocacy (2025) and #2 in Gavel Rankings (2024–25).
- Accounting (Brock School of Business): 78.3% first-time CPA pass rate (2023), the highest in Alabama and among the top 5% nationally.
- Pharmacy (McWhorter School of Pharmacy): Strong NAPLEX and MPJE pass rates, consistently above national averages, with high employment outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Samford offers families a mix of automatic merit, competitive flagship scholarships, and hidden gems that can make a real difference in the final bill. The Honors College programs add another layer of value through mentoring, enrichment funds, and service opportunities. For first-gen or budget-conscious parents, the key is stacking the right scholarships early—priority deadlines matter. With careful planning, Samford can be much more affordable than its sticker price suggests.
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