AU vs. BC

Should I go to Anderson University or Bridgewater College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or BC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Anderson University vs. Bridgewater College comparison
Anderson University Bridgewater College College 3 College 4
Anderson University Bridgewater College
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Overview

 AU BC
Location Anderson, SC Bridgewater, VA
Setting Small City Small Suburban
Enrollment 4,325 1,436
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #759 #603
Religious Affiliation Baptist Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website andersonuniversity.edu bridgewater.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AU BC
Tuition (In State) $32,710 $40,300
Tuition (Out of State) $32,710 $40,300
Room & Board $12,290 $14,370
Avg Net Price $22,222 $19,660
Avg Grant Aid $25,586 $36,350
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 AU BC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,732 3,984
Admitted 2,499 3,618
Acceptance Rate 52.8% 90.8%
Enrolled % 34% 11.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.61
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/28 28/29
SAT Range 1090/1290 1070/1375
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

 AU BC
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (37%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

 AU BC
Graduation Rate 48% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,500 $43,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,862 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $277 $279

Diversity

 AU BC
% Men 9% 1%
% Women 12% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 73%
% Black 8% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

 AU BC
% In-State 68% 69%
% Out-of-State 31% 25%

Campus

 AU BC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Anderson University is larger than than BC based on total student enrollment (4,325 students vs. 1,436 students)

AU vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or BC?

  • Bridgewater College is 23.2% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($40,300.00 vs. $32,710.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.2% higher at BC than Anderson University ($40,300.00 vs. $32,710.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than AU ($19,660 vs. $22,222)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 16.9% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($12,290 vs. $14,370)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater College than Anderson University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 42.1% larger than aid received Anderson University ($36,350 vs. $25,586)

AU vs. BC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or BC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between BC or AU .

  • The average SAT score at Anderson University (1078) is 44 points higher than at BC (1034)
  • Incoming AU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at BC (24)
  • 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 (90.8%) than AU (52.8%)

AU vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or BC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between BC and AU.

  • The graduation rate at BC is higher than Anderson University (59% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Bridgewater College earn on average $5,600 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($43,100 vs. $37,500)
  • Anderson University students graduate with a $138 lower median federal student loan debt than BC graduates. ($26,862 vs. $27,000)
  • AU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans 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/