BAC vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than BAC based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 1,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Radford University 14:1.

BAC vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or RU? 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 Radford University than BAC ($16,749 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 3.6% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($12,504 vs. $12,974).
• Belmont Abbey College is 55.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $6,952 more per year; $19,500.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at RU than at Belmont Abbey College (about $6,133 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont Abbey College than at Radford University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 16.7% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($11,870 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Belmont Abbey College (1080) is 30 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming BAC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman BAC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 14.4% at RU.

BAC vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than BAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.