BAC vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Belmont Abbey College is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,388 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

BAC vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or SWU? 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 Wesleyan University than BAC ($20,134 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 22% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($10,126 vs. $12,974).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 52.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $10,300 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.8% higher at SWU than at Belmont Abbey College (about $10,300 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Belmont Abbey College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 91.8% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($19,498 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BAC or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and BAC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 50 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at BAC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at BAC (3.32).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 33.4% at SWU.

BAC vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than BAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University and BAC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Wesleyan University and BAC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.