BAC vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Belmont Abbey College is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (1,388 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BAC vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University than BAC ($24,561 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 23.7% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($9,894 vs. $12,974).
• Southern Virginia University is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $1,780 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at SVU than at Belmont Abbey College (about $1,780 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Belmont Abbey College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Belmont Abbey College students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($10,168 vs. $10,041).

BAC vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Virginia University (1100) is 20 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming BAC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman BAC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 21.4% at SVU.

BAC vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and SVU? 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).

• Belmont Abbey College's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More SVU 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.