BAC vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Belmont Abbey College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,388 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Salem College 9:1.

BAC vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or Salem 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 Salem College than BAC ($18,668 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Belmont Abbey College are 5.4% lower than at Salem College ($12,974 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 73.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $14,348 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.6% higher at Salem College than at Belmont Abbey College (about $14,348 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Belmont Abbey College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 195.1% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($30,001 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 70 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming BAC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman BAC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

BAC vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and Salem 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).

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem College and BAC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Salem College and BAC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.