Bridgewater State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Massachusetts residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 7,829 students.
About This School
Bridgewater State University is a public institution located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts with approximately 7,829 undergraduate students enrolled. Bridgewater State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 88%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,383 per year. The graduation rate is 53%, and the typical graduate earns $47,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
Bridgewater State University is a public university with its main campus in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States. It is the largest of nine state universities in Massachusetts. Including its off-campus sites in New Bedford, Attleboro, and Cape Cod, BSU has the fourth-largest campus of the 29 institutions in the Massachusetts Public Higher Education System. BSU's sports teams are called the Bears. Its school colors are crimson, white, and black.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $17,970/year net price and only $18,746 in median debt at graduation, the cost is genuinely manageable, but a 55% graduation rate means nearly half of students who start here don't finish — that's worth taking seriously before enrolling. Worth considering if you're a Massachusetts resident looking for an affordable path to a degree, particularly in education or one of BSU's stronger programs, but come in with a clear plan and use academic support resources early, because the 77% freshman retention rate suggests the second year is where many students start to drift.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,829 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · Public
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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