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Bridgewater College vs Averett University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Bridgewater VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Danville VA

The verdict

Bridgewater College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,200 in 14 years versus 29.1 years at Averett University, on median earnings of $53,453 vs $51,516 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBridgewater CollegeAverett University
Net price / yr$17,800$22,925
Total net cost$71,200$91,700
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,453$51,516
Median debt$26,000$25,000
Payback14 yrs29.1 yrs
20-year net return$30,660-$28,580

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bridgewater College or Averett University?

Bridgewater College, at $17,800 a year after aid versus $22,925 — a gap of $5,125 a year, or $20,500 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bridgewater College or Averett University graduates earn more?

Bridgewater College graduates report a median $53,453 ten years after entry, $1,937 more than the $51,516 at Averett University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Bridgewater College or Averett University?

Averett University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Bridgewater College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Bridgewater College, against 48% at Averett University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bridgewater College vs Averett University: frequently asked questions

Is Bridgewater College or Averett University a better value?
Bridgewater College. It clears its $71,200 net cost in about 14 years versus 29.1 years at Averett University, on median earnings of $53,453 vs $51,516 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Bridgewater College or Averett University?
Bridgewater College: $17,800/yr net price after aid versus $22,925/yr at Averett University — a difference of $5,125 a year, or about $20,500 over four years.
Do Bridgewater College or Averett University graduates earn more?
Bridgewater College graduates earn a median $53,453 ten years after entry, versus $51,516 at Averett University — a $1,937 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.