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University of Lynchburg Old Dominion Longwood University EMU JMU RU Regent University CNU Methodist Randolph-Macon Messiah College Roanoke College| Bridgewater College | Virginia Wesleyan College | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
BC | VWC | ||
| Location | Bridgewater, VA | Norfolk, VA | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 1,421 | 1,538 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #676 | #631 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Church of Brethren | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | bridgewater.edu | vwc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
BC | VWC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $38,800 | $36,010 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $38,800 | $36,010 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,830 | $11,070 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,332 | $23,046 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $34,142 | $27,568 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
BC | VWC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,402 | 1,718 | ||
| Admitted | 3,074 | 1,399 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 90.4% | 81.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.7% | 20.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.61 | 3.39 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 22/28 | 27/29 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1230 | 1190/1365 | ||
| 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 | May 1, 2025 |
Academics |
BC | VWC | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
BC | VWC | ||
| Graduation Rate | 59% | 48% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $43,100 | $41,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $279 |
Diversity |
BC | VWC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 48% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 52% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 73% | 54% | ||
| % Black | 11% | 24% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 5% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 6% |
Students |
BC | VWC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 73% | 73% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 24% | 26% | ||
Campus |
BC | VWC | ||
| 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
- Virginia Wesleyan College is larger than than BC based on total student enrollment (1,538 students vs. 1,421 students)
BC vs. VWC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, BC or VWC?
- Bridgewater College is 7.7% more expensive to attend than VWC for in-state tuition ($38,800.00 vs. $36,010.00)
- Out of state tuition is 7.7% higher at BC than Virginia Wesleyan College ($38,800.00 vs. $36,010.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than VWC ($19,332 vs. $23,046)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan College are 24.9% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($11,070 vs. $13,830)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater College as Virginia Wesleyan College (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 23.8% larger than aid received Virginia Wesleyan College ($34,142 vs. $27,568)
BC vs. VWC Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, BC or VWC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VWC or BC .
- The average SAT score at Bridgewater College (1034) is 52 points higher than at VWC (982)
- Incoming BC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at VWC (22)
- Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at VWC (3.39)
- BC has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than VWC (81.4%)
BC vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, BC or VWC? 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 VWC and BC.
- The graduation rate at BC is higher than Virginia Wesleyan College (59% vs. 48%)
- Graduates from Bridgewater College earn on average $1,400 more per year than VWC graduates after ten years. ($43,100 vs. $41,700)
- Virginia Wesleyan College and BC graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
- Virginia Wesleyan College and BC graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
- More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 57%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/