BC vs. EMU

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater College is larger than EMU based on total student enrollment (1,448 students vs. 1,154 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting); Eastern Mennonite University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Mennonite University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater College 13:1; Eastern Mennonite University 9:1.

BC vs. EMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or EMU? 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 EMU ($11,316 vs. $25,021).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 11.3% lower than at Bridgewater College ($13,170 vs. $14,850).
• Eastern Mennonite University is 173% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $27,830 more per year; $43,920.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 173% higher at EMU than at Bridgewater College (about $27,830 more per year; $43,920.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Eastern Mennonite University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 46% larger than aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students ($47,288 vs. $32,378).

BC vs. EMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Mennonite University (1320) is 130 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater College 1020/1360; Eastern Mennonite University 1040/1590.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEastern Mennonite University 25/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; EMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EMU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at BC (3.61).
• EMU has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than BC (91.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at BC vs. 12.4% at EMU.

BC vs. EMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and EMU? 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).

• Eastern Mennonite University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Eastern Mennonite University earn a median of about $800 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Mennonite University graduates have a $3,550 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($23,450 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, EMU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More EMU 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.