Menlo vs. Benedict College

Comparable Facts

Compare Menlo College in Atherton, CA with Benedict College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Benedict College is larger than Menlo based on total student enrollment (1,691 students vs. 810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Menlo College is located in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting); Benedict College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Menlo College 14:1; Benedict College 13:1.

Menlo vs. Benedict College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Menlo or Benedict College? 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 Benedict College than Menlo ($18,665 vs. $32,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 60.8% lower than at Menlo College ($7,146 vs. $18,236).
• Menlo College is 207.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedict College (about $36,190 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 207.5% higher at Menlo than at Benedict College (about $36,190 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College than at Benedict College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 193.8% larger than aid received by Benedict College students ($39,174 vs. $13,335).

Menlo vs. Benedict College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Menlo or Benedict College? 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 Benedict College and Menlo.

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBenedict College 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBenedict College 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Menlo - Test-free; Benedict College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027; Benedict College Feb 15, 2027.
• Benedict College has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Menlo (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.3% at Menlo vs. 8% at Benedict College.

Menlo vs. Benedict College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Menlo and Benedict College? 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).

• Menlo College's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Benedict College's (26%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $28,900 more per year than Benedict College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Menlo College graduates have a $21,836 lower median loan debt than Benedict College graduates ($21,062 vs. $42,898).
• Among borrowers, Menlo graduates have an estimated $226 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedict College graduates ($217 vs. $443).
• More Menlo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 13%)

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.