AU vs. BC

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

AU vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or BC? 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 Bridgewater College than AU ($11,316 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 17.4% lower than at American University ($14,850 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 265.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $42,681 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 265.3% higher at AU than at Bridgewater College (about $42,681 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 30.1% larger than aid received by American University students ($47,288 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or BC? 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 BC and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 180 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 10.1% at BC.

AU vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and BC? 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).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

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.