Bridgewater College vs Liberty University: A Data-Driven Comparison
Both Virginia institutions offer accessible admission, with Liberty accepting 99.29% of applicants compared to Bridgewater's 90.36%. However, these schools differ significantly in scale and cost structure.
Cost and Value
Liberty provides substantial savings with $21,222 annual tuition versus Bridgewater's $41,350. Yet Bridgewater's average net price of $20,173 nearly matches Liberty's $29,552, suggesting stronger financial aid. Bridgewater graduates earn a median $53,453 after ten years compared to Liberty's $44,813, though both schools produce similar debt loads around $25,000.
Academic Environment
Bridgewater offers more personalized attention with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and just 1,388 students, while Liberty serves 50,059 students with an 18:1 ratio. Liberty maintains slightly better retention (78.79% vs 77.49%) and graduation rates (63.50% vs 49.40%).
Campus Experience
The schools provide contrasting experiences. Bridgewater competes in NCAA Division III athletics, emphasizing participation over scholarships. Liberty fields Division I teams, offering major college sports atmosphere. Liberty's size enables diverse programming and resources, while Bridgewater fosters close community connections.
Outcomes
Despite Liberty's higher graduation rate, Bridgewater graduates command higher salaries, potentially reflecting its liberal arts focus and smaller alumni networks in specialized fields.
Students seeking intimate learning environments with strong earning potential should consider Bridgewater, while those wanting affordable education with big university amenities and athletics may prefer Liberty.
Both Virginia institutions offer accessible admission, with Liberty accepting 99.29% of applicants compared to Bridgewater's 90.36%. However, these schools differ significantly in scale and cost structure.
Cost and Value
Liberty provides substantial savings with $21,222 annual tuition versus Bridgewater's $41,350. Yet Bridgewater's average net price of $20,173 nearly matches Liberty's $29,552, suggesting stronger financial aid. Bridgewater graduates earn a median $53,453 after ten years compared to Liberty's $44,813, though both schools produce similar debt loads around $25,000.
Academic Environment
Bridgewater offers more personalized attention with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and just 1,388 students, while Liberty serves 50,059 students with an 18:1 ratio. Liberty maintains slightly better retention (78.79% vs 77.49%) and graduation rates (63.50% vs 49.40%).
Campus Experience
The schools provide contrasting experiences. Bridgewater competes in NCAA Division III athletics, emphasizing participation over scholarships. Liberty fields Division I teams, offering major college sports atmosphere. Liberty's size enables diverse programming and resources, while Bridgewater fosters close community connections.
Outcomes
Despite Liberty's higher graduation rate, Bridgewater graduates command higher salaries, potentially reflecting its liberal arts focus and smaller alumni networks in specialized fields.
Students seeking intimate learning environments with strong earning potential should consider Bridgewater, while those wanting affordable education with big university amenities and athletics may prefer Liberty.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Bridgewater College | Liberty University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 90.4% | 99.3% |
| SAT Average | 1,125 | |
| Enrollment | 1,388 | 50,059 |
| In-State Tuition | $41,350 | $21,222 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,350 | $21,222 |
| Net Price | $20,173 | $29,552 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.4% | 63.5% |
| Retention Rate | 77.5% | 78.8% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $53,453 | $44,813 |
| Median Debt | $26,000 | $24,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Bridgewater College | Liberty University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | $42,682 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $72,022 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $41,565 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $68,219 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | $39,369 | Computer Engineering. | $63,600 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $38,559 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $62,936 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $37,208 | Business/Commerce, General. | $57,705 |