ASU vs. BC

Should I go to Appalachian State University or Bridgewater College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU 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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Appalachian State University vs. Bridgewater College comparison
Appalachian State University Bridgewater College College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University Bridgewater College
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Overview

 ASU BC
Location Boone, NC Bridgewater, VA
Setting Distant Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 20,436 1,421
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #594 #676
Religious Affiliation - Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu bridgewater.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ASU BC
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $38,800
Tuition (Out of State) $20,246 $38,800
Room & Board $11,582 $13,830
Avg Net Price $13,084 $19,332
Avg Grant Aid $7,443 $34,142
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 100%

Admission

 ASU BC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,255 3,402
Admitted 18,489 3,074
Acceptance Rate 83.1% 90.4%
Enrolled % 21.2% 13.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.61
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 22/28
SAT Range 1100/1270 1020/1230
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 Feb 1, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

 ASU BC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

 ASU BC
Graduation Rate 65% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $43,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $211 $279

Diversity

 ASU BC
% Men 42% 48%
% Women 58% 52%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 73%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

 ASU BC
% In-State 87% 73%
% Out-of-State 13% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than BC based on total student enrollment (20,436 students vs. 1,421 students)

ASU vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or BC?

  • Bridgewater College is 814.7% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($38,800.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.6% higher at BC than Appalachian State University ($38,800.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than BC ($13,084 vs. $19,332)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 19.4% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($11,582 vs. $13,830)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater College than Appalachian State University (100% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 358.7% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($34,142 vs. $7,443)

ASU vs. BC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 123 points higher than at BC (1034)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at BC (24)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at BC (3.61)
  • BC has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than ASU (83.1%)

ASU vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU 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 ASU.

  • The graduation rate at ASU is higher than Bridgewater College (65% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from Bridgewater College earn on average $1,500 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($43,100 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than BC graduates. ($20,500 vs. $27,000)
  • ASU graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than BC graduates. ($211 vs. $279)
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/