Howard vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($11,316 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 14.3% lower than at Howard University ($14,850 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 122.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $19,720 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.6% higher at Howard than at Bridgewater College (about $19,720 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 122.4% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($47,288 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 20 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 10.1% at BC.

Howard vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater College and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bridgewater College and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 33%)

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.