Chatham vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

Chatham vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or BC? 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 Chatham ($11,316 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 8.4% lower than at Bridgewater College ($13,600 vs. $14,850).
• Chatham University is 177.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $28,536 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 177.4% higher at Chatham than at Bridgewater College (about $28,536 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University as at Bridgewater College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 57.1% larger than aid received by Chatham University students ($47,288 vs. $30,095).

Chatham vs. BC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater College (1190) is 10 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 10.1% at BC.

Chatham vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and BC? 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater College earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,100 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

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.