UD vs. BC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE with Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Delaware is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

UD vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 UD ($11,316 vs. $19,139).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 3.5% lower than at University of Delaware ($14,850 vs. $15,386).
• University of Delaware is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $720 more per year; $16,810.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.3% higher at UD than at Bridgewater College (about $25,310 more per year; $41,400.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at University of Delaware (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 255.5% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($47,288 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Delaware (1280) is 90 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than UD (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 10.1% at BC.

UD vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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).

• University of Delaware's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $2,797 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($24,203 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.