WCU vs. BC

Should I go to West Chester University of Pennsylvania or Bridgewater College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU 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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West Chester University of Pennsylvania vs. Bridgewater College comparison
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Bridgewater College College 3 College 4
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Bridgewater College
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Overview

WCU BC
Location West Chester, PA Bridgewater, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 17,275 1,421
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #496 #676
Religious Affiliation - Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcupa.edu bridgewater.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU BC
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $38,800
Tuition (Out of State) $19,290 $38,800
Room & Board $14,228 $13,830
Avg Net Price $22,973 $19,332
Avg Grant Aid $5,443 $34,142
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 100%

Admission

WCU BC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,778 3,402
Admitted 12,982 3,074
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 90.4%
Enrolled % 23.2% 13.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 22/28
SAT Range 1080/1260 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

WCU BC
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

WCU BC
Graduation Rate 68% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $43,100
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $242 $279

Diversity

WCU BC
% Men 39% 48%
% Women 61% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 73%
% Black 11% 11%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

WCU BC
% In-State 87% 73%
% Out-of-State 12% 24%

Campus

WCU BC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than BC based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 1,421 students)

WCU vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or BC?

  • Bridgewater College is 402.9% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($38,800.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 101.1% higher at BC than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($38,800.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than WCU ($19,332 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 2.9% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($13,830 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater College than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 527.3% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($34,142 vs. $5,443)

WCU vs. BC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 38 points higher than at BC (1034)
  • Incoming WCU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at BC (24)
  • Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • BC has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than WCU (87.8%)

WCU vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU 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 WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Bridgewater College (68% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $5,900 more per year than BC graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $43,100)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than BC graduates. ($23,500 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than BC graduates. ($242 vs. $279)
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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