BAC vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charleston Southern University is larger than BAC based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 1,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

BAC vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or CSU? 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 Charleston Southern University than BAC ($21,080 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 6% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($12,200 vs. $12,974).
• Charleston Southern University is 66.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $13,020 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.8% higher at CSU than at Belmont Abbey College (about $13,020 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont Abbey College than at Charleston Southern University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 128.6% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($23,240 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BAC or CSU? 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 CSU and BAC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Belmont Abbey College (1080) is 30 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming BAC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman BAC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 17.7% at CSU.

BAC vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and CSU? 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).

• The graduation rate at BAC is the same as at Charleston Southern University (38% vs. 38%).
• Graduates from Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charleston Southern University and BAC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Charleston Southern University and BAC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.