Radford vs Bridgewater College
Radford University and Bridgewater College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Virginia, offer distinct educational experiences. Radford University, a public research university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to Bridgewater College's selective admissions (68%). Radford's larger student body reflects its diverse demographics, while Bridgewater's smaller size fosters a close-knit community. In terms of academics, Radford offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like Business, Education, and Nursing, while Bridgewater excels in the liberal arts and sciences, with strengths in Biology, English, and Psychology. Both universities prioritize student success, with comparable graduation rates hovering around 60%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Bridgewater College |
Radford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bridgewater, Virginia | Radford, Virginia |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Small |
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% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Anabaptists | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 95.3% |
Application fees | $50 | |
SAT range | 1065 - 1250 | 950 - 1150 |
ACT range | 22 - 28 | 19 - 23 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,388 | 11,291 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,544 | 10,762 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 398 | 1,292 |
Yield rate | 15.6% | 12.0% |
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:
$26,632
Out of state:
$38,714
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Average net price | $19,592 | $16,835 |
Tuition | $37,500 |
In state:
$7,922
Out of state:
$19,557
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Room & board | $13,360 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,549
Meal plan:
$4,487
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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 |
88.0%
Average amount $8,695 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
66.0%
Average amount $5,510 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,344 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $14,207 |
12.0%
Average amount $12,531 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,427
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
6,513
Men 38.8% Women 61.2% |
Graduate students |
36
Men 36.1% Women 63.9% |
2,485
Men 15.7% Women 84.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 11.8% |
International students | 1.8% | 0.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,380 | 3,528 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Virginia Maryland North Carolina District of Columbia Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 |
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% | 53.9% |
Dropout rate | 37.7% | 12.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 33.2% |
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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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
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