BAC vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC with Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Liberty University is larger than BAC based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 1,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Liberty University 18:1.

BAC vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or Liberty University? 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 Belmont Abbey College than Liberty University ($24,726 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Belmont Abbey College are 6.2% lower than at Liberty University ($12,974 vs. $13,835).
• Liberty University is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $2,965 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Liberty University than at Belmont Abbey College (about $2,965 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont Abbey College than at Liberty University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 22.8% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($12,489 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Liberty University (1150) is 70 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming Liberty University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at BAC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Liberty University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at BAC (3.32).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

BAC vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and Liberty University? 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).

• Liberty University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($24,166 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($249 vs. $279).
• More BAC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 36%)

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.