Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Belmont, North Carolina
90.4% Acceptance Rate
Belmont Abbey College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.4%Acceptance Rate
3.32Avg GPA
1082Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$32,494Annual Cost
$47,937Grad Salary
25.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.4%
Avg GPA
3.32
Avg SAT
1082
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
940–1190
ACT Middle 50%
17–25
Need-Based Aid
25.4% receive Pell
Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic liberal arts college in North Carolina that has seen rapid growth and increased selectivity in recent years. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their potential for academic rigor, their commitment to the college's Christian mission, and their character. The college seeks individuals who are looking for a supportive environment where faculty mentorship is a priority.
Applicants should highlight their involvement in service-oriented extracurriculars and their interest in engaging with the college's mission. A strong personal statement discussing how the student's personal and academic goals align with the college's values will make an application stand out. The college is increasingly looking for students who demonstrate high potential and a genuine desire to contribute to its evolving, community-centered campus life.
Belmont Abbey College Acceptance Rate
Belmont Abbey College (BAC) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 90.4% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 90.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.32 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.12 – 3.31
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.87
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Belmont Abbey College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Belmont Abbey College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of October 30 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 78 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
BAC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
October 30
Decision by: November 6
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/02/01 (FAFSA priority date for institutional grant consideration)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
BAC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at BAC is 3.32. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.02–3.32 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.52–3.72.BAC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.32 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.12 – 3.31
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.92 – 3.11
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.91
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Belmont Abbey has a test-blind admissions policy - SAT/ACT scores are not considered at all, not merely optional.
- The application is free with no essay required for initial submission; Early Action applicants (by October 30) receive decisions by November 6, with rolling admission afterward.
- Current NC high school students apply through a College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) account rather than the general online application.
- The college houses the Saint Joseph Adoration Chapel, open 24 hours a day, and its Honors College is nationally regarded for its four-year Catholic intellectual tradition curriculum.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at BAC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Belmont Abbey College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Belmont Abbey College (BAC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if BAC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into BAC Without SAT or ACT?
BAC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Belmont Abbey College Average SAT Score: 1082
The average SAT score of admitted students at Belmont Abbey College is 1082 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1082 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Belmont Abbey College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 940, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at BAC. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 525 | 460 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1082 | 940 | 1190 |
Below 940, you're behind most admitted students; at 1190 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Belmont Abbey College (BAC) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of BAC's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Belmont Abbey College (BAC) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at BAC is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 16 | 25 |
| ACT English | 20 | 15 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 17 | 25 |
Can I get into Belmont Abbey College with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of BAC's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at BAC.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for BAC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
BAC's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Understand Belmont Abbey is test-blind, not just test-optional - don't submit scores expecting them to help
Belmont Abbey has a genuinely test-blind admissions policy, meaning SAT/ACT scores are not considered at all, a stronger stance than typical test-optional policies where scores can still help if strong. Redirect any energy you'd spend deciding whether to submit scores toward your transcript and activities instead, since scores simply won't factor into the decision regardless of how you perform.
Apply by October 30 for Early Action even though the college has no application fee or required essay
Belmont Abbey's application is free with no essay required for initial submission, and it's easy to assume this means no real timeline pressure - but applying by October 30 specifically gets you Early Action consideration with a decision by November 6, well ahead of the rolling process that follows. If an early decision matters for your planning (scholarship deadlines, other applications), hit this specific date even though the general deadline feels much later.
NC high schoolers: use your CFNC account specifically, not the general online application
Current North Carolina high school students are routed to apply through a College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) account rather than Belmont Abbey's general online application - a free account that lets you work on your application over time. Confirm you're using the correct portal for your student type before starting, since using the wrong one can create a fragmented or duplicate application file.
If Catholic intellectual formation is your priority, target the Honors College specifically
Belmont Abbey's Honors College is widely regarded as one of its strongest offerings, built around a four-year sequence in philosophy, theology, history, literature, and apologetics grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition. If deep engagement with Catholic thought is central to why you're considering the Abbey, ask admissions specifically about Honors College eligibility and application steps, since it's a distinct academic track from general admission.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat Belmont Abbey's high acceptance rate (around 90%) and fee-free, essay-free application as evidence there's no real strategy involved - but missing the October 30 Early Action cutoff, or submitting through the wrong application portal as an NC high schooler, are avoidable missteps that can delay your decision or complicate your file even at a genuinely low-barrier institution.
BAC Profile
Full Name
Belmont Abbey College (BAC)
City
Belmont
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
28012-1802
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a BAC Degree Worth It?
Whether BAC is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $63,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.43%.
How much does a degree from BAC Cost?
The sticker price is $32,494/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
25.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 47.5% take federal loans at BAC. File your FAFSA early and list BAC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a BAC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $47,937. That's about 18% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Belmont Abbey College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Belmont Abbey College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Belmont Abbey College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at BAC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About BAC Admissions
Median earnings for Belmont Abbey College graduates sit around $47,937 a year.
Belmont Abbey College costs roughly $32,494 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 25.4% receive a Pell Grant at Belmont Abbey College. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 90.4%, Belmont Abbey College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Belmont Abbey College average a 3.32 GPA.
Belmont Abbey College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.02 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.92, Belmont Abbey College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Belmont Abbey College — aim above 1082, ideally within the 940–1190 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Belmont Abbey College is October 30. Admission decisions are released by November 6. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/02/01 (FAFSA priority date for institutional grant consideration). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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