GWU vs. BC

Should I go to Gardner Webb University or Bridgewater College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GWU 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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Gardner Webb University vs. Bridgewater College comparison
Gardner Webb University Bridgewater College College 3 College 4
Gardner Webb University Bridgewater College
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Overview

 GWU BC
Location Boiling Springs, NC Bridgewater, VA
Setting Rural Fringe Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,144 1,421
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #639 #676
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gardner-webb.edu bridgewater.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GWU BC
Tuition (In State) $31,220 $38,800
Tuition (Out of State) $31,220 $38,800
Room & Board $10,770 $13,830
Avg Net Price $22,339 $19,332
Avg Grant Aid $24,130 $34,142
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 GWU BC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,728 3,402
Admitted 4,293 3,074
Acceptance Rate 74.9% 90.4%
Enrolled % 9.4% 13.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.61
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 22/28
SAT Range 1020/1210 1020/1230
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

 GWU BC
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

 GWU BC
Graduation Rate 55% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $43,100
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,969 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

 GWU BC
% Men 32% 48%
% Women 68% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 73%
% Black 17% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 10% 4%

Students

 GWU BC
% In-State 54% 73%
% Out-of-State 41% 24%

Campus

 GWU 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

  • Gardner Webb University is larger than than BC based on total student enrollment (3,144 students vs. 1,421 students)

GWU vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU or BC?

  • Bridgewater College is 24.3% more expensive to attend than GWU for in-state tuition ($38,800.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.3% higher at BC than Gardner Webb University ($38,800.00 vs. $31,220.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than GWU ($19,332 vs. $22,339)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 28.4% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($10,770 vs. $13,830)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University as Bridgewater College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 41.5% larger than aid received Gardner Webb University ($34,142 vs. $24,130)

GWU vs. BC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bridgewater College (1034) is 57 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming BC students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at BC (3.61)
  • BC has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than GWU (74.9%)

GWU vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GWU 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 GWU.

  • The graduation rate at BC is higher than Gardner Webb University (59% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Bridgewater College earn on average $2,600 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($43,100 vs. $40,500)
  • Gardner Webb University students graduate with a $2,031 lower median federal student loan debt than BC graduates. ($24,969 vs. $27,000)
  • GWU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than BC graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 52%)

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