Samford University is the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama.
Founded by a group of educational, economic, and religious leaders, the school was chartered in 1841 and opened its doors on January 3, 1842, in Marion, Alabama, as Howard College. It has survived two destructive fires and the partial paralysis of the Civil War and Reconstruction. In 1887 it was relocated in Birmingham, and in 1957 the institution was moved to its present campus.
The University now consists of the Howard College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies, School of Music, Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Beeson School of Divinity, and Cumberland School of Law.
With a total enrollment of about 4600, Arts & Sciences and Education are two of the more popular areas of study. Student housing is available for 1936.
Birmingham is in Jefferson County.
