ASU vs. BAC

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than BAC based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 1,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Belmont Abbey College is in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Belmont Abbey College 12:1.

ASU vs. BAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or BAC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than BAC ($14,978 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 0.8% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($12,868 vs. $12,974).
• Belmont Abbey College is 157.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $11,921 more per year; $19,500.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at ASU than at Belmont Abbey College (about $5,712 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont Abbey College than at Appalachian State University (99% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Belmont Abbey College students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($10,168 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. BAC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or BAC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BAC and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 120 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming ASU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at BAC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Belmont Abbey College 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Belmont Abbey College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; BAC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at BAC (3.32).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 12.6% at BAC.

ASU vs. BAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and BAC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $300 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.