BAC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than BAC based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BAC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than BAC ($18,790 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 27.6% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($9,390 vs. $12,974).
• Columbia College is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $2,714 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Columbia College than at Belmont Abbey College (about $2,714 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont Abbey College than at Columbia College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 61.8% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($16,451 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Belmont Abbey College (1080) is 80 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming BAC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at BAC (3.32).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

BAC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and Columbia College? 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.