Published on August 6, 2018 by Maryellen Newton  
Best Christian Colleges Ranking Seal

Samford University’s national reputation continues to be affirmed in the latest College Atlas ranking of the Best Christian Colleges in America. Coming in at #5 on the list of the top 150 Christian colleges and universities, Samford received high marks for academic quality, accessibility and affordability.

“While rankings are only one measure of a university’s effectiveness, it is gratifying to be recognized nationally for the quality of our academic programs and our commitment to Christian faith,” said Samford Vice President for Marketing and Communication, Betsy Bugg Holloway. “Samford’s unique combination of rigorous academic programs and a steadfast commitment to Christian mission, makes it a special place for students to develop their intellect, creativity and faith.”

College Atlas, a digital news and information platform designed to empower students and the academic community to make more informed decisions about higher education, reported that of the 7,500 accredited colleges and universities in America, 880 schools report a Christian religious affiliation. College Atlas considers the defining aspects of a Christian college or university to be dedication to the integration of Christian faith and learning in traditional academic fields and maintenance of those teachings as a focal point of their school’s mission, values and curriculum.

The Best Christian Colleges methodology examined a number of significant factors in three categories. For academic quality, they studied student-faculty ratio, enroll rate, first-year retention rate, six-year graduation rate, early and mid-career average salaries of graduates, academic, employment and job placement services and Christian-specific accreditation. They also examined the balance of accessibility with acceptance rate, number of students enrolled and number of programs offered. Finally, for affordability, they compared in-state undergraduate tuition, percentage of students receiving financial aid, average amount of aid compared to tuition, median debt, and Yellow Ribbon/GI Bill availability.  

The latest College Atlas ranking continues a trend of national recognitions for Samford’s academic programs. Samford is nationally ranked for academic quality, affordability and value by a variety of major rankings, including U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Inc., The Economist, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and The Wall Street Journal.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.