BC vs. AMU

Should I go to Bridgewater College or Ave Maria University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BC or AMU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

University of Lynchburg Longwood University EMU Franciscan Nova JMU RU VWC FGCU UT CNU BAC
Bridgewater College vs. Ave Maria University comparison
Bridgewater College Ave Maria University College 3 College 4
Bridgewater College Ave Maria University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

BC AMU
Location Bridgewater, VA Ave Maria, FL
Setting Small Suburban Distant Rural
Enrollment 1,421 1,310
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #676 #598
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bridgewater.edu avemaria.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

BC AMU
Tuition (In State) $38,800 $25,168
Tuition (Out of State) $38,800 $25,168
Room & Board $13,830 $13,402
Avg Net Price $19,332 $21,078
Avg Grant Aid $34,142 $21,341
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

BC AMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,402 3,404
Admitted 3,074 1,505
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 44.2%
Enrolled % 13.7% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/28 21/28
SAT Range 1020/1230 1018/1240
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, 2024

Academics

BC AMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • English and Literature (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (11%)
  • Biology (9%)

Outcomes

BC AMU
Graduation Rate 59% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,100 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,428
Median Loan Payment $279 $231

Diversity

BC AMU
% Men 48% 46%
% Women 52% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 61%
% Black 11% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 15%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 0%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 13%

Students

BC AMU
% In-State 73% 32%
% Out-of-State 24% 66%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bridgewater College is larger than than AMU based on total student enrollment (1,421 students vs. 1,310 students)

BC vs. AMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or AMU?

  • Bridgewater College is 54.2% more expensive to attend than AMU for in-state tuition ($38,800.00 vs. $25,168.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.2% higher at BC than Ave Maria University ($38,800.00 vs. $25,168.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than AMU ($19,332 vs. $21,078)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ave Maria University are 3.2% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($13,402 vs. $13,830)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater College as Ave Maria University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 60% larger than aid received Ave Maria University ($34,142 vs. $21,341)

BC vs. AMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ave Maria University (1098) is 64 points higher than at BC (1034)
  • Incoming BC students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at AMU (24)
  • Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at AMU (3.6)
  • BC has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than AMU (44.2%)

BC vs. AMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BC or AMU? 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 AMU and BC.

  • The graduation rate at BC is higher than Ave Maria University (59% vs. 41%)
  • Ave Maria University students graduate with a $4,572 lower median federal student loan debt than BC graduates. ($22,428 vs. $27,000)
  • AMU graduates are paying $48 less per month on federal student loans than BC graduates. ($231 vs. $279)
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 53%)

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