Red-brick Georgian buildings and a domed chapel give Samford University's campus in Homewood, just south of Birmingham, a formal look. The Baptist university dates back to 1841, when it opened as Howard College in Marion. Today it has professional schools in law, pharmacy, nursing and business alongside its liberal arts college. Classes are small and student life leans traditional.
Homewood, Alabama, United States
Official website: samford.edu
1841, as Howard College
Private Christian university
Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy
$36,000 – $45,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate
$14,000 – $18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on samford.edu before you apply.
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
SAT/ACT optional, TOEFL: 80
BSN Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
SAT/ACT optional, TOEFL: 80
BS Exercise Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
SAT/ACT optional, TOEFL: 80
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
GMAT optional, TOEFL: 80
Doctor of Pharmacy
Doctoral DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
Prerequisites, TOEFL: 80
Nursing and pharmacy schools with Birmingham hospital placements.
Cumberland School of Law on the same campus.
A formal, close-knit campus with small classes.
Nursing graduates work in Birmingham's large hospital systems.
Pharmacy graduates join hospital and community pharmacies after US licensing.
Business graduates find roles in Birmingham banking, healthcare and engineering firms.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Main intake
Undergrad
Limited
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Homewood is a leafy suburb with walkable shops on 18th Street. Downtown Birmingham is about 15 minutes away by car.
Birmingham has a big medical sector around UAB, good Southern food and low rent. Summers are hot, and public transport is limited, so most students drive.
Form I-20 issued by Samford University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Samford reviews undergraduate applications on a rolling basis, with early deadlines in the autumn for scholarships. Graduate and pharmacy deadlines vary by programme.
Most programmes start in August. Some graduate programmes also admit in January.
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Samford University after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Business, nursing, exercise science and pharmacy are popular. Undergraduates need strong secondary grades and TOEFL 80. Pharmacy and graduate programmes need prerequisite coursework or a bachelor's degree.
Samford gives merit scholarships to undergraduates, and international students are considered. Apply early for the best chance.
