BAC vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than BAC based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BAC vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or SU? 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 SU ($24,726 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 3.7% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($12,490 vs. $12,974).
• Shenandoah University is 89.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $17,450 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.5% higher at SU than at Belmont Abbey College (about $17,450 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Belmont Abbey College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 143.4% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($24,747 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 40 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming BAC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at SU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at BAC (3.32).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 16.7% at SU.

BAC vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and SU? 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).

• Shenandoah University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than BAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.