CSU vs. BC

Should I go to Charleston Southern University or Bridgewater College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or BC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Charleston Southern University vs. Bridgewater College comparison
Charleston Southern University Bridgewater College College 3 College 4
Charleston Southern University Bridgewater College
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Overview

CSU BC
Location Charleston, SC Bridgewater, VA
Setting Small City Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,545 1,436
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #915 #603
Religious Affiliation Baptist Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuniv.edu bridgewater.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU BC
Tuition (In State) $30,380 $40,300
Tuition (Out of State) $30,380 $40,300
Room & Board $11,590 $14,370
Avg Net Price $21,347 $19,660
Avg Grant Aid $22,411 $36,350
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

CSU BC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,072 3,984
Admitted 4,620 3,618
Acceptance Rate 76.1% 90.8%
Enrolled % 15.7% 11.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.61
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 28/29
SAT Range 950/1160 1070/1375
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

CSU BC
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

CSU BC
Graduation Rate 38% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,800 $43,100
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

CSU BC
% Men 7% 1%
% Women 11% 2%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 73%
% Black 26% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

CSU BC
% In-State 73% 69%
% Out-of-State 24% 25%

Campus

CSU BC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Charleston Southern University is larger than than BC based on total student enrollment (3,545 students vs. 1,436 students)

CSU vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or BC?

  • Bridgewater College is 32.7% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($40,300.00 vs. $30,380.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.7% higher at BC than Charleston Southern University ($40,300.00 vs. $30,380.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than CSU ($19,660 vs. $21,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 24% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($11,590 vs. $14,370)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater College than Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 62.2% larger than aid received Charleston Southern University ($36,350 vs. $22,411)

CSU vs. BC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or BC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between BC or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at Bridgewater College (1034) is 4 points higher than at CSU (1030)
  • Incoming BC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • BC has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than CSU (76.1%)

CSU vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or BC? 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 BC and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at BC is higher than Charleston Southern University (59% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Bridgewater College earn on average $3,300 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($43,100 vs. $39,800)
  • Bridgewater College and CSU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Bridgewater College and CSU 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 CSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/