BC vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater College 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

BC vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or SU? 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 SU ($11,316 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 15.9% lower than at Bridgewater College ($12,490 vs. $14,850).
• Shenandoah University is 129.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $20,860 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.6% higher at SU than at Bridgewater College (about $20,860 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College as at Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 91.1% larger than aid received by Shenandoah University students ($47,288 vs. $24,747).

BC vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater College (1190) is 70 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater College 1020/1360; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC May 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at BC vs. 16.7% at SU.

BC vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.