PUC vs. BAC

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA with Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Belmont Abbey College is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (1,388 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Union College is located in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Belmont Abbey College is in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Union College 12:1; Belmont Abbey College 12:1.

PUC vs. BAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PUC or BAC? 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 Pacific Union College than BAC ($22,767 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 24.3% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($9,816 vs. $12,974).
• Pacific Union College is 90.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $17,673 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.6% higher at PUC than at Belmont Abbey College (about $17,673 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at Belmont Abbey College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 161.9% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($26,629 vs. $10,168).

PUC vs. BAC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Belmont Abbey College (1080) is 20 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Incoming PUC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at BAC (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 930/1190; Belmont Abbey College 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 20/24; Belmont Abbey College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PUC - Test-free; BAC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman BAC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at PUC (3.24).
• BAC has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at PUC vs. 12.6% at BAC.

PUC vs. BAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PUC and BAC? 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).

• Pacific Union College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than BAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Belmont Abbey College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($27,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, BAC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($279 vs. $310).
• More PUC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.