Belmont University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Nashville, Tennessee · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
95%
9,165 applicants
Median SAT
1260
Mid 50: 1160–1350
In-state tuition
$42,540
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$33,147
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Belmont University is a private nonprofit university in Nashville, Tennessee that admits about 95% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $33,147 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 70% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Belmont University is a private institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. For the most recent reporting cycle, Belmont University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 95%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1260 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $33,147 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Belmont University?

64% of enrolled students at Belmont University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.83, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
44.2%
3.75–3.99
20.1%
3.50–3.74
13.7%
3.25–3.49
9.8%
3.00–3.24
6.7%
2.50–2.99
4.8%
Below 2.50
0.5%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Belmont University.

What does Belmont University weight in admissions?

Belmont University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important1 factor
  • Recommendations

SAT and ACT scores Belmont University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 640. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1160
50th percentile1260
75th percentile1350
% submitting SAT18%
ACT Composite
25th percentile24
50th percentile27
75th percentile30
% submitting ACT37%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class27.79%
Top 25% of class55.29%
Top 50% of class84.89%
% submitting class rank21.4%

How much does Belmont University actually cost?

Published tuition is $42,540 for in-state students and $42,540 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,010 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $33,147 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$41,740
Room and board$15,530
Average net price (after aid)$33,147
Application fee$50 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Belmont University

Regular admission
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from Belmont University?

These predict outcomes at Belmont University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
87%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
70.43%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Belmont University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Belmont University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians. Across all programs, Belmont University confers roughly 996 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program report a median income of about $50,279 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management411$50,279
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing175$72,897
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians118$40,147
Music94$30,355
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other60$49,107
Communication and Media Studies48$64,813
Film/Video and Photographic Arts47
Design and Applied Arts43$41,939
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Belmont University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Belmont University disclosed 17 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 13 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
17
2.4 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
13
1.82 per 1,000
Burglary
2
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 7,137 enrolled.

Other colleges in Tennessee parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Belmont University

Common questions parents ask about Belmont University

What GPA do I need for Belmont University?

64% of enrolled students at Belmont University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.83, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Belmont University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 640. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–30.

How much does Belmont University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Belmont University after grants and scholarships is $33,147 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $42,540. Budget against the net figure.

Is Belmont University realistic for my child?

Belmont University admits 95% of applicants, so 560–660 SAT Math is target range and below 560 is a reach. Then check the $33,147 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Belmont University?

Belmont University accepts about 95% of applicants out of roughly 9,165 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Belmont University test-optional?

Yes. Belmont University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Belmont University?

About 70% of students at Belmont University graduate within six years. 87% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Belmont University look for in applicants?

Belmont University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Belmont University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Belmont University is a private nonprofit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee.

What are the most popular majors at Belmont University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Belmont University by annual graduates are Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians. The school awards about 996 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Belmont University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Belmont University reported 17 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Belmont University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers