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Bridgewater College vs Old Dominion University

Bridgewater College is a private college in Bridgewater, VA. Old Dominion University is a public university in Norfolk, VA. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants and Bridgewater College about 92%, making Old Dominion University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,638 a year at Old Dominion University after aid, and about $17,800 at Bridgewater College. About 51% of students graduate at Bridgewater College, compared with 45% at Old Dominion University. Ten years after enrolling, Old Dominion University alumni earn a median of about $54,914, against $53,453 for Bridgewater College.

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA · Private

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Bridgewater, VA
Norfolk, VA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,400
17,514
Acceptance rate
92%
90%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.25–3.75
3.27–3.77
SAT (middle 50%)
1020–1360
1100–1280
ACT (middle 50%)
28–29
24–29
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,800
$14,638
Full cost / yr
$58,702
$29,446
In-state tuition
$16,090
$12,750
Out-of-state tuition
$16,090
$33,780
Application fee
$0
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$13,283
$9,739
$30k - $48k
$12,468
$10,114
$48k - $75k
$15,046
$13,123
$75k - $110k
$20,582
$16,940
Over $110k
$21,448
$23,567
Outcomes
Graduation rate
51%
45%
Freshman retention
75%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,620
$46,732
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,453
$54,914
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
$24,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
30%
37%
First-generation students
32%
33%
International students
4%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Dec 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Feb 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bridgewater College or Old Dominion University harder to get into?
Old Dominion University is harder to get into. It admits about 90% of applicants, compared with 92% at Bridgewater College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bridgewater College or Old Dominion University?
Old Dominion University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,638 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,800 at Bridgewater College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Bridgewater College and Old Dominion University?
Before aid, Old Dominion University costs about $29,446 a year and Bridgewater College about $58,702. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bridgewater College or Old Dominion University?
Old Dominion University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,739 there, against about $13,283 at Bridgewater College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bridgewater College or Old Dominion University?
Old Dominion University is the larger of the two, with about 17,514 undergraduates against 1,400 at Bridgewater College.
Does Bridgewater College or Old Dominion University have a better graduation rate?
Bridgewater College has the higher graduation rate, at about 51% against 45% at Old Dominion University.
Do graduates of Bridgewater College or Old Dominion University earn more?
Old Dominion University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $54,914 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,453 for Bridgewater College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bridgewater College and Old Dominion University require SAT or ACT scores?
Bridgewater College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Old Dominion University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Bridgewater College and Old Dominion University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1020–1360 at Bridgewater College and 1100–1280 at Old Dominion University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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