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Samford University vs Spring Hill College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Birmingham AL · vs · Private nonprofit, Mobile AL

The verdict

Samford University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $130,488 in 12.9 years versus 26 years at Spring Hill College, on median earnings of $58,469 vs $51,500 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSamford UniversitySpring Hill College
Net price / yr$32,622$20,449
Total net cost$130,488$81,796
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,469$51,500
Median debt$19,500$27,000
Payback12.9 yrs26 yrs
20-year net return$71,692-$18,996

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Samford University or Spring Hill College?

Spring Hill College, at $20,449 a year after aid versus $32,622 — a gap of $12,173 a year, or $48,692 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Samford University or Spring Hill College graduates earn more?

Samford University graduates report a median $58,469 ten years after entry, $6,969 more than the $51,500 at Spring Hill College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Samford University or Spring Hill College?

Samford University: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Spring Hill College, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

77% of students finish at Samford University, against 52% at Spring Hill College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Samford University vs Spring Hill College: frequently asked questions

Is Samford University or Spring Hill College a better value?
Samford University. It clears its $130,488 net cost in about 12.9 years versus 26 years at Spring Hill College, on median earnings of $58,469 vs $51,500 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Samford University or Spring Hill College?
Spring Hill College: $20,449/yr net price after aid versus $32,622/yr at Samford University — a difference of $12,173 a year, or about $48,692 over four years.
Do Samford University or Spring Hill College graduates earn more?
Samford University graduates earn a median $58,469 ten years after entry, versus $51,500 at Spring Hill College — a $6,969 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.