U of R vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

U of R vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 U of R ($11,316 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 25% lower than at University of Rochester ($14,850 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 316.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $50,990 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 316.9% higher at U of R than at Bridgewater College (about $50,990 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at University of Rochester (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 3.9% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($47,288 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 290 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 10.1% at BC.

U of R vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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 Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $27,900 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.