Bridgewater State University
#1 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 54% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,466 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,383 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,429,120.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 41% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Bridgewater State University Matters
Bridgewater State University is a public university in Bridgewater, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 7,829
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Bridgewater State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1060–1263. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,383 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,466 ten years after enrolling — 41% above the typical college, against $24,286 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 58% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.77 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 88%, Bridgewater State University is an inviting option for many students looking to pursue degrees in fields like Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, and Criminal Justice. The university’s focus on these practical areas reflects a commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges. For those seeking a supportive environment where they can find their academic fit, Bridgewater stands out as a friendly, accessible choice.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $57,466 within ten years, which provides a solid foundation for starting their careers. This aligns well with the affordable net price of $16,383 after aid, making it a reasonable investment for many families. While the graduation rate sits at 54%, the potential for upward mobility exists, especially for those who actively engage with the university’s resources and community.
Looking at financial realities, students carry a median debt of $24,286 upon graduation. This figure is manageable given the earnings potential, especially for those who choose majors that align with workforce demand. The 32% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates a commitment to accessibility and support for low-income students. In this environment, individuals who thrive often embrace the opportunities for involvement and are proactive about their education and career paths.
Rankings
- #1 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #4 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #6 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #12 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #14 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #15 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #17 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Bridgewater State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bridgewater State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Bridgewater State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,180. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- SAT Average
- 1180
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 1060–1263
- ACT Range
- 25–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,130
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 8,807
- Admitted
- 7,725
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bridgewater State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bridgewater State University is $17,948, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,383. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,007 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,286 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,808
- Out-of-State
- $17,948
- Avg Net Price
- $16,383
- Median Debt
- $24,286
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 75%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,007
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,579
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,559
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,176
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Bridgewater State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bridgewater State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $57,466, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,673
- 8 Years
- $50,191
- 10 Years
- $57,466
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (539)
- 36%
- 100% (539)
- 36%
- 100% (539)
- 36%
- 100% (539)
- 36%
How Bridgewater Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bridgewater State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bridgewater State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,383/year ($65,532 total). Graduates earn $57,466 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,494,652 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,429,120 (22.8× your investment). The median debt is $24,286, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $65,532
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,494,652
- Net Return
- $1,429,120
- ROI Multiple
- 22.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,383
- Median Debt
- $24,286
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bridgewater State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bridgewater State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.32%, well above the typical college. About 4.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.32%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 27.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $126,762
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,990,666
- Investment Income
- $74,082
Top Programs
The fields Bridgewater State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 16% $43,889 early-career
- Business & Marketing 16% $55,689 early-career
- Psychology 13% $38,544 early-career
- Criminal Justice 7% $45,641 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $37,196 early-career
- Communications 6% $41,057 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $51,598 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $46,136 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bridgewater State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bridgewater State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Bridgewater State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,180. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bridgewater State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bridgewater State University is $17,948, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,383. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,007 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,286 in federal student loans.
Is Bridgewater State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $57,466, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Bridgewater State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bridgewater State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.32%, well above the typical college. About 4.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bridgewater State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bridgewater State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bridgewater State University.
- Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA · Close peer52% grad $61,580 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh, WI · Close peer51% grad $55,548 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie, WI · Close peer54% grad $58,084 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CT · Close peer49% grad $58,562 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL · Close peer56% grad $56,346 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ · Close peer70% grad $57,602 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bridgewater State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bridgewater State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note