Sewanee vs. BC

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of the South in Sewanee, TN with Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of the South 9:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

Sewanee vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sewanee 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 Sewanee ($11,316 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 7.3% lower than at The University of the South ($14,850 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 248.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $40,030 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 248.8% higher at Sewanee than at Bridgewater College (about $40,030 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 27.2% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($47,288 vs. $37,171).

Sewanee vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sewanee 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 Sewanee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 140 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 1260/1390; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sewanee - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Sewanee vs. 10.1% at BC.

Sewanee vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sewanee 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).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.