BAC vs. HSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC with Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hardin Simmons University is larger than BAC based on total student enrollment (1,665 students vs. 1,388 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Hardin Simmons University is in Abilene, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hardin Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Hardin Simmons University 15:1.

BAC vs. HSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC or HSU? 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 Hardin Simmons University than BAC ($19,811 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hardin Simmons University are 11.4% lower than at Belmont Abbey College ($11,500 vs. $12,974).
• Hardin Simmons University is 69% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $13,460 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69% higher at HSU than at Belmont Abbey College (about $13,460 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hardin Simmons University than at Belmont Abbey College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 156.6% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($26,095 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. HSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Hardin Simmons University (1100) is 20 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming BAC students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at HSU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Hardin Simmons University 1010/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Hardin Simmons University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; HSU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman HSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at BAC (3.32).
• HSU has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 12.2% at HSU.

BAC vs. HSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC and HSU? 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.

• Hardin Simmons University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from Hardin Simmons University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than BAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hardin Simmons University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, HSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More HSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.