Bridgewater College vs Virginia Commonwealth University
Bridgewater College is a private college in Bridgewater, VA. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university in Richmond, VA. Bridgewater College admits about 92% of applicants and Virginia Commonwealth University about 93%, making Bridgewater College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,800 a year at Bridgewater College after aid, and about $23,433 at Virginia Commonwealth University. About 64% of students graduate at Virginia Commonwealth University, compared with 51% at Bridgewater College. Ten years after enrolling, Virginia Commonwealth University alumni earn a median of about $58,128, against $53,453 for Bridgewater College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Bridgewater, VA
Richmond, VA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,400
20,753
Acceptance rate
92%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.25–3.75
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1020–1360
1010–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
28–29
22–30
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,800
$23,433
Full cost / yr
$58,702
$38,954
In-state tuition
$16,090
$16,945
Out-of-state tuition
$16,090
$40,109
Application fee
$0
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$13,283
$17,512
$30k - $48k
$12,468
$17,777
$48k - $75k
$15,046
$20,925
$75k - $110k
$20,582
$24,691
Over $110k
$21,448
$32,739
Outcomes
Graduation rate
51%
64%
Freshman retention
75%
85%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,620
$47,161
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,453
$58,128
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
30%
31%
First-generation students
32%
28%
International students
4%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Jan 15
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.
- Is Bridgewater College or Virginia Commonwealth University harder to get into?
- Bridgewater College is harder to get into. It admits about 92% of applicants, compared with 93% at Virginia Commonwealth University. 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 Virginia Commonwealth University?
- Bridgewater College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,800 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,433 at Virginia Commonwealth University. 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 Virginia Commonwealth University?
- Before aid, Virginia Commonwealth University costs about $38,954 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 Virginia Commonwealth University?
- Bridgewater College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $13,283 there, against about $17,512 at Virginia Commonwealth University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Bridgewater College or Virginia Commonwealth University?
- Virginia Commonwealth University is the larger of the two, with about 20,753 undergraduates against 1,400 at Bridgewater College.
- Does Bridgewater College or Virginia Commonwealth University have a better graduation rate?
- Virginia Commonwealth University has the higher graduation rate, at about 64% against 51% at Bridgewater College.
- Do graduates of Bridgewater College or Virginia Commonwealth University earn more?
- Virginia Commonwealth University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $58,128 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,453 for Bridgewater College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Bridgewater College and Virginia Commonwealth University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Bridgewater College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Virginia Commonwealth University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Bridgewater College and Virginia Commonwealth University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1020–1360 at Bridgewater College and 1010–1270 at Virginia Commonwealth University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Bridgewater College vs Washington and Lee UniversityBridgewater College vs University of RichmondBridgewater College vs University of Virginia's College at WiseVirginia Commonwealth University vs University of Virginia-Main CampusVirginia Commonwealth University vs Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginia Commonwealth University vs James Madison University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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