Drexel vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drexel University 9:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

Drexel vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Drexel ($11,316 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 17.9% lower than at Drexel University ($14,850 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 287.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $46,322 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 287.9% higher at Drexel than at Bridgewater College (about $46,322 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University as at Bridgewater College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 34.9% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($47,288 vs. $35,051).

Drexel vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 150 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Drexel (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 10.1% at BC.

Drexel vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $34,300 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $757 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($26,243 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.