Biola University vs Samford
Biola University and Samford University, both esteemed Christian institutions, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Biola, located in La Mirada, California, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 65% compared to Samford's 80% in Birmingham, Alabama. While Biola's student body is predominantly female, Samford maintains a more balanced gender ratio. In terms of popular majors, Biola excels in the fields of Biblical Studies and Theology, while Samford is known for its strong programs in Business and Nursing. With graduation rates of 68% and 75% respectively, both universities prioritize student success and provide ample resources to support their students' academic journeys. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional universities and make an informed decision about your higher education path.
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![]() Biola University |
![]() Samford University |
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Overview |
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Location | La Mirada, California | Birmingham, Alabama |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 89.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | Baptist |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 60.8% | 83.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 1103 - 1348 | 1100 - 1290 |
ACT range | 22 - 29 | 23 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 22.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 66.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,354 | 4,217 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,646 | 3,537 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 655 | 920 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 26.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $59,500 | $53,100 |
Average net price | $29,123 | $31,871 |
Tuition | $44,382 | $34,410 |
Room & board | $10,202 |
Room/dormitory:
$6,150
Meal plan:
$5,110
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $28,421 |
99.0%
Average amount $19,443 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $4,897 |
31.0%
Average amount $5,320 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $15,279 |
6.0%
Average amount $19,317 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,596
Men 38.0% Women 62.0% |
3,607
Men 33.4% Women 66.6% |
Graduate students |
1,955
Men 54.5% Women 45.5% |
2,151
Men 32.3% Women 67.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 28.6% | 73.0% |
International students | 9.2% | 0.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,750 | 2,375 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Oregon Texas Colorado | Alabama Georgia Tennessee Texas Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.9% | 78.9% |
Dropout rate | 6.1% | 20.9% |
Transferred out | 22.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
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