Bridgewater College vs Clemson University
Bridgewater College and Clemson University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to prospective students. Bridgewater College, a private liberal arts college nestled in the heart of Virginia, boasts a close-knit community and a focus on undergraduate education. In contrast, Clemson University, a public research university located in South Carolina, is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in STEM fields. While both institutions offer a diverse range of academic opportunities, their acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates vary significantly. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Bridgewater College |
![]() Clemson University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bridgewater, Virginia | Clemson, South Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 94.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Anabaptists | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 49.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$80
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SAT range | 1065 - 1250 | 1220 - 1420 |
ACT range | 22 - 28 | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | 40.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 30.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,388 | 47,007 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,544 | 23,138 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 398 | 4,593 |
Yield rate | 15.6% | 19.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,750 |
In state:
$34,164
Out of state:
$57,156
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Average net price | $19,592 | $23,732 |
Tuition | $37,500 |
In state:
$14,118
Out of state:
$37,110
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Room & board | $13,360 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,808
Meal plan:
$4,426
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $32,545 |
81.0%
Average amount $9,699 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
66.0%
Average amount $5,510 |
41.0%
Average amount $5,281 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $14,207 |
9.0%
Average amount $21,664 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,427
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
21,653
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Graduate students |
36
Men 36.1% Women 63.9% |
5,688
Men 46.8% Women 53.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 48.4% |
International students | 1.8% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,380 | 7,800 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.1% | 85.5% |
Dropout rate | 37.7% | 2.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 11.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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