Clemson vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Clemson University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clemson University is located in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clemson University 16:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

Clemson vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clemson 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 Clemson ($11,316 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 10.5% lower than at Bridgewater College ($13,284 vs. $14,850).
• Bridgewater College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clemson (about $536 more per year; $16,090.00 vs. $15,554.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154% higher at Clemson than at Bridgewater College (about $24,776 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Clemson University (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 315.2% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($47,288 vs. $11,389).

Clemson vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clemson 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 Clemson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 140 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clemson University 1240/1410; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clemson - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clemson May 1, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clemson students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Clemson (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Clemson vs. 10.1% at BC.

Clemson vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clemson 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).

• Clemson University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Clemson University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Clemson graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

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.