BC vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater College 13:1; Radford University 14:1.

BC vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or RU? 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 RU ($11,316 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 15.8% lower than at Bridgewater College ($12,504 vs. $14,850).
• Bridgewater College is 28.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $3,542 more per year; $16,090.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.3% higher at RU than at Bridgewater College (about $9,543 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 298.4% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($47,288 vs. $11,870).

BC vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater College (1190) is 140 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater College 1020/1360; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRadford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at RU (3.31).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at BC vs. 14.4% at RU.

BC vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and RU? 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 Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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.