Samford University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Samford University charges a net price of $32,622/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $130,488. Graduates earn a median $58,469 ten years after entry, $10,109/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.9 years — a 20-year net return of $71,692, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Samford University's 12.9-year payback ranks #899 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 30% of them, and #7 of 54 in Alabama.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $32,622/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $130,488 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $58,469 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $10,109/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $71,692 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Samford University's own numbers. Net price $32,622 × 4 years = $130,488 total. Median earnings $58,469 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $10,109 a year of premium. $130,488 ÷ $10,109 = 12.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $71,692. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Samford University students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 33% of the $58,469 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Samford University students graduate?
77% finish their degree. Spread the $130,488 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $169,465 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Samford University expensive compared with other Alabama colleges?
Its $32,622 net price runs $18,054 above the $14,569 median across the 54 Alabama colleges we profile, or $72,214 more across the full degree.