AU vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Anderson University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; 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. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 14.3% lower than at Bridgewater College ($12,720 vs. $14,850).
• Anderson University is 117.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $18,880 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.3% higher at AU than at Bridgewater College (about $18,880 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Anderson University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 82.1% larger than aid received by Anderson University students ($47,288 vs. $25,969).

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 Anderson University (1190) is the same as at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% 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).

• Bridgewater College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,100 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Anderson University graduates have a $138 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($26,862 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 60%)

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.