Bradley University vs Samford University

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Bradley University
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
Bradley University
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
Bradley University
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
Samford University
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
76.7%
82.2%
Avg SAT Score
1,237
1,203
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1090 – 1300
1070 – 1260
Avg ACT Score
27
26
ACT Range (25th–75th)
25 – 31
23 – 29
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$23,572
$30,795
Tuition (In-State)
$39,680
$38,144
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$39,680
$38,144
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
29.4%
10.8%
Federal Loan Rate
63.6%
28.7%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$66,852
$58,469
Graduation Rate
74.0%
78.8%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
84.5%
87.6%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
3,865
3,828
Undergrad Enrollment
4,260
3,772
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Suburban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Bradley University

Academics
B
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
B

Samford University

Academics
B+
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
C

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Bradley University and Samford University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Bradley University is more selective with a 76.7% acceptance rate compared to Samford University's 82.2%. Average SAT scores are 1237 and 1203 respectively.

Cost: Bradley University offers a lower average net price at $23,572, which is $7,223 less than Samford University ($30,795). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Bradley University earn a median salary of $66,852 ten years after enrollment, which is $8,383 more than Samford University graduates ($58,469).

Graduation: Samford University leads with a 78.8% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 84.5% vs 87.6%.

Campus Size: Bradley University is the larger campus with 3,865 total students, while Samford University has 3,828.

Bottom Line: Bradley University stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates β€” making it the stronger value proposition overall.

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