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JMU University of Lynchburg Longwood University RU Cabrini College VWC CNU Randolph-Macon Roanoke College Liberty University Messiah College Mason| Bridgewater College | Eastern Mennonite University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
BC | EMU | ||
| Location | Bridgewater, VA | Harrisonburg, VA | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 1,421 | 1,334 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #676 | #215 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Church of Brethren | Mennonite Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | bridgewater.edu | emu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
BC | EMU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $38,800 | $40,590 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $38,800 | $40,590 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,830 | $12,240 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,332 | $23,783 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $34,142 | $30,460 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 96% |
Admission |
BC | EMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,402 | 1,144 | ||
| Admitted | 3,074 | 1,138 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 90.4% | 99.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.7% | 17.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.61 | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Elite | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 22/28 | 25/34 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1230 | 1040/1590 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | May 1, 2025 |
Academics |
BC | EMU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 10:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
BC | EMU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 59% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $43,100 | $43,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 80% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $23,450 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $242 |
Diversity |
BC | EMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 48% | 34% | ||
| % Women | 52% | 66% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 73% | 71% | ||
| % Black | 11% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 2% |
Students |
BC | EMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 73% | 68% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 24% | 27% | ||
Campus |
BC | EMU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Bridgewater College is larger than than EMU based on total student enrollment (1,421 students vs. 1,334 students)
BC vs. EMU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, BC or EMU?
- Eastern Mennonite University is 4.6% more expensive to attend than BC for in-state tuition ($40,590.00 vs. $38,800.00)
- Out of state tuition is 4.6% higher at EMU than Bridgewater College ($40,590.00 vs. $38,800.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than EMU ($19,332 vs. $23,783)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 13% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($12,240 vs. $13,830)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater College than Eastern Mennonite University (100% vs. 96%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 12.1% larger than aid received Eastern Mennonite University ($34,142 vs. $30,460)
BC vs. EMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, BC or EMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between EMU or BC .
- The average SAT score at Bridgewater College (1034) is 25 points higher than at EMU (1009)
- Incoming BC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at EMU (22)
- 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 (99.5%) than BC (90.4%)
BC vs. EMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, BC or EMU? 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 EMU and BC.
- The graduation rate at EMU is higher than Bridgewater College (66% vs. 59%)
- Graduates from Eastern Mennonite University earn on average $800 more per year than BC graduates after ten years. ($43,900 vs. $43,100)
- Eastern Mennonite University students graduate with a $3,550 lower median federal student loan debt than BC graduates. ($23,450 vs. $27,000)
- EMU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans 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/