BAC vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Belmont Abbey College is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (1,388 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

BAC vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College than BAC ($22,702 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Belmont Abbey College are 11.8% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($12,974 vs. $14,710).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 50.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $9,892 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.7% higher at W&J than at Belmont Abbey College (about $9,892 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Belmont Abbey College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 98.2% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($20,152 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BAC or W&J? 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 W&J and BAC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington & Jefferson College (1130) is 50 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming W&J students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BAC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at BAC (3.32).
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 12.6% at W&J.

BAC vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than BAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington & Jefferson College and BAC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Washington & Jefferson College and BAC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.