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Samford University: Davis Lib SU
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College · Catholic life on campus

Samford University

  • LocationBirmingham, AL
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 5,791 students

Affiliation: Baptist

Official website

Samford University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

BHM Catholic, the campus ministry centered at St. Stephen the Martyr Chapel in Birmingham, serves students from Samford and other Birmingham schools. Its 2026-2027 schedule lists a Sunday Mass, a Tuesday Holy Hour with confession, and Thursday confession and adoration, and it names a Samford Catholic Student Association and a FOCUS team.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 2

  • Sunday10:30 AMSt. Stephen the Martyr Chapel · 2026-2027 school year; the page lists dates with no Sunday Mass.
  • Thursday6:00 PMSt. Stephen the Martyr Chapel · Listed under Thursday on the 2026-2027 weekly schedule.

Confession 2

  • Tuesday7:00 PMSt. Stephen the Martyr Chapel · Confessions are heard during the Holy Hour.
  • Thursday5:00 PMSt. Stephen the Martyr Chapel

Adoration 2

  • Tuesday7:00 PMSt. Stephen the Martyr Chapel · Holy Hour with Benediction.
  • Thursday5:00 PMSt. Stephen the Martyr Chapel

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Holy Mass at 10:30am (all welcome)”
    Sunday Mass is offered at 10:30am under the ministry's weekly schedule.
    “Daily Mass at 6:00pm (all welcome)”
    The ministry's weekly schedule lists Daily Mass at 6:00pm under Thursday.
    “Holy Hour with Benediction at 7:00pm”
    A Tuesday Holy Hour with Benediction is held at 7:00pm.
    “Confessions heard during Holy Hour”
    Confession is heard during the Tuesday Holy Hour.
    “Confessions and Adoration at 5:00pm”
    Confession and adoration are offered on Thursdays at 5:00pm.
    “Confessions and Adoration at 5:00pm”
    Confession and adoration are offered on Thursdays at 5:00pm.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Samford University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miOur Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church: 0.9 mi1Saint Stephen the Martyr Catholic University Chapel: 2.3 mi2Saint George the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church: 2.4 mi3Saint Elias Maronite Church: 2.6 mi4Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church: 2.8 mi5BHM Catholic (St. Stephen the Martyr Chapel): 2.3 miSamford University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood
  2. Saint Stephen the Martyr Catholic University Chapel — 2.3 mi · 1515 12th Avenue South, Birmingham
  3. Saint George the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church — 2.4 mi · 425 16th Avenue South, Birmingham
  4. Saint Elias Maronite Church — 2.6 mi · 836 8th Street South, Birmingham
  5. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church — 2.8 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

BCatholic life on campus: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

82 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
    Sources (2)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We serve students from UAB (University of Alabama – Birmingham), Samford University, Jefferson State Community College, and others from around the Birmingham area.”
      The ministry states that it serves students from Samford University and other Birmingham schools.
    2. Campus Ministry | Diocese of Birminghambhmdiocese.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “UAB, Samford, Birmingham Southern”
      The Diocese of Birmingham's campus ministry page lists Samford among the institutions served by St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Chapel.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Father Jacob Ntoko is listed as Chaplain. A second priest, Father Bryan Jerabek, is listed as Administrator.)
    Sources (1)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Jacob Ntoko, Chaplain”
      Father Jacob Ntoko is listed as the ministry's Chaplain.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Mass is listed under Thursday only, which is one weekday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass at 6:00pm (all welcome)”
      The ministry's weekly schedule lists Daily Mass at 6:00pm under Thursday.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (One Sunday Mass is listed, at 10:30am, for the 2026-2027 school year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Mass at 10:30am (all welcome)”
      Sunday Mass is offered at 10:30am under the ministry's weekly schedule.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is heard during the Tuesday Holy Hour and on Thursdays at 5:00pm.)
    Sources (1)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confessions heard during Holy Hour”
      Confession is heard during the Tuesday Holy Hour.
      “Confessions and Adoration at 5:00pm”
      Confession and adoration are offered on Thursdays at 5:00pm.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more
    Sources (2)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Blazers (UAB) • Samford CSA”
      The ministry lists the Samford Catholic Student Association among its Catholic student associations.
      “FOCUS Missionaries: Julian, Rachel, Emily, Gabi, and William”
      A FOCUS missionary team is based with the ministry.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Samford University”
      FOCUS lists Samford University among the campuses it serves.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration6 to 11 times a week (6 weekly times documented: 2 Mass, 2 confession, 2 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • The ministry publishes a weekly schedule of Sunday Mass, Tuesday Holy Hour with confession, and Thursday confession and adoration.
    Sources (1)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Mass at 10:30am (all welcome)”
      Sunday Mass is offered at 10:30am under the ministry's weekly schedule.
      “Holy Hour with Benediction at 7:00pm”
      A Tuesday Holy Hour with Benediction is held at 7:00pm.
      “Confessions and Adoration at 5:00pm”
      Confession and adoration are offered on Thursdays at 5:00pm.
  • The ministry lists a Samford Catholic Student Association and a FOCUS team, and FOCUS lists Samford among its campuses.
    Sources (2)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Blazers (UAB) • Samford CSA”
      The ministry lists the Samford Catholic Student Association among its Catholic student associations.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Samford University”
      FOCUS lists Samford University among the campuses it serves.

Concerns

  • The ministry's published schedule lists one Sunday Mass and no weekday Mass beyond Thursday.
    Sources (1)
    1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass at 6:00pm (all welcome)”
      The ministry's weekly schedule lists Daily Mass at 6:00pm under Thursday.
      “Holy Mass at 10:30am (all welcome)”
      Sunday Mass is offered at 10:30am under the ministry's weekly schedule.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

BHM Catholic (St. Stephen the Martyr Chapel)

  • Address: 1515 12th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
  • Distance from campus: 2.3 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel, student lounge, social hall

View on map ↗

Source: bhmcatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, bhmcatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Clubs and groups 2

  • Samford Catholic Student Association
    The Samford Catholic Student Association, listed by the ministry with its Catholic student associations.
    bhmcatholic.com
  • FOCUS team at BHM Catholic
    A FOCUS missionary team serving students with the ministry.
    bhmcatholic.com, focus.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Tuesday Holy Hour
    Tuesdays at 7:00pm
    Holy Hour with Benediction, with confession heard during the Holy Hour.
    bhmcatholic.com, bhmcatholic.com
  • Thursday confession and adoration
    Thursdays at 5:00pm
    Confession and adoration offered on Thursday afternoons.
    bhmcatholic.com

Social life 1

  • Sunday free meal for students
    Sundays, after Mass
    A free meal for students in the Social Hall after Sunday Mass.
    bhmcatholic.com

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. BHM Catholic – Campus Ministrybhmcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “We serve students from UAB (University of Alabama – Birmingham), Samford University, Jefferson State Community College, and others from around the Birmingham area.”
    The ministry states that it serves students from Samford University and other Birmingham schools.
    “1515 12th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205”
    The ministry is centered at St. Stephen the Martyr Chapel at 1515 12th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205.
    “St. Stephen’s Chapel is open daily 9:00am-9:00pm”
    St. Stephen's Chapel is open daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
  2. Campus Ministry | Diocese of Birminghambhmdiocese.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “UAB, Samford, Birmingham Southern”
    The Diocese of Birmingham's campus ministry page lists Samford among the institutions served by St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Chapel.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
82 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.77%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.93%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,201 · ACT 25
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.14 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$16,043

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
3,832
Total students5,791
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$32,622
Cost of attendance (per year)$57,456
Median federal debt at graduation$19,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
77%
First-year retention93%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$58,469
Admission rate82%
Students receiving Pell grants11%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1201
SAT reading & writing550–640
SAT math520–610
ACT composite22–28
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 57 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama

The Most Reverend Steven J. Raica, Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 102049
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral/professional university
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Baptist
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Samford University a Catholic college?
No. Samford University is not a Catholic college. Its listed religious affiliation is Baptist. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by BHM Catholic Campus Ministry.
What is Samford University’s Catholic Life Score?
82 out of 100 (grade B). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Samford University?
Mass is listed at St. Stephen the Martyr Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Samford University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Samford University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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