Fueled by another record-breaking class of first-year students and a historic student retention rate, Samford University announced its largest-ever total enrollment with 6,101 students for fall semester 2024.
This marks the 16th consecutive year of record enrollment for Samford, a period of sustained and strategic growth that has raised the university’s national profile.
“We are elated to once again report our largest total enrollment in university history—a remarkable 16-year trend that’s increasingly unique in higher education,” said Jason Black, Samford’s vice president for enrollment management. “Our academic programs continue to attract students, and those students continue to stay engaged by the rewards derived from a Christ-centered Samford education.”
The 92.87% freshmen-to-sophomore retention rate represents an all-time high for Samford and far exceeds the latest nationwide retention average of 76%, according to the National Student Clearinghouse.
Samford’s 4,210 undergraduate students also marked an all-time high. The university welcomed 1,087 first-year full-time students, building upon the previous benchmark of 1,080 from 2023.
“Never before has Samford been positioned as well as it is today, and we’re thrilled to see the members of the class of 2028 begin their Samford journey,” said President Beck A. Taylor. “These students are passionate, they are driven, and they’re going to put their stamp on Samford.”
A snapshot of Samford’s enrollment for 2024:
- 45 states plus Puerto Rico are represented in the overall enrollment, along with 16 countries
- 3,668 students come from outside Alabama (60.1% of total enrollment)
- 833 first-year students come from outside Alabama (76.6% of class)
- Samford is welcoming 245 transfer students, including 151 from Birmingham-Southern College, which closed in May.
The updated enrollment figures come days after Samford announced three top 10 national rankings from The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 list of the best U.S. colleges. Samford ranked #2 nationally for student character development, #8 for quality of career preparation and #10 among top recommended colleges.
The trajectory of historic enrollment growth demands ambitious infrastructure commitments, which are being addressed through the Samford Horizons strategic plan. Central among the early phase construction projects is a 165,000-square-foot Campus Recreation, Wellness & Athletic Complex—scheduled for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 20. Taking shape nearby are new residence halls for first-year students and Greek life that will add more than 650 beds upon opening in Fall 2025. Projects also include a 550-space parking deck on the north side of campus.
“These vital projects are needed to serve a growing campus, and I’m thankful for our Board of Trustees having the courage, foresight and vision to prioritize tackling these initiatives,” Taylor said. “The future of Samford University has never been brighter. Our best days are ahead.”
