Amherst vs. Bridgewater State

Amherst College and Bridgewater State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Bridgewater State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bridgewater State. Average net price is $15,646 vs $19,049 at Amherst.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Bridgewater State 52%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Bridgewater State $45,700 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Bridgewater State University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Bridgewater State87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Bridgewater State1060-1263
Average net price
Bridgewater State $3,403 less
Amherst$19,049
Bridgewater State$15,646
In-state tuition
Bridgewater State $58,672 less
Amherst$70,480
Bridgewater State$11,808
Out-of-state tuition
Bridgewater State $52,532 less
Amherst$70,480
Bridgewater State$17,948
Graduation rate
Amherst +44 pts
Amherst96%
Bridgewater State52%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$36,300
Amherst$82,000
Bridgewater State$45,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Bridgewater State 9,096
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Bridgewater State 7,987
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Bridgewater State 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Bridgewater State 19.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Bridgewater State 1160
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Bridgewater State 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Bridgewater State 3.21
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Bridgewater State B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Bridgewater State Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Bridgewater State
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Bridgewater State 1060-1263
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Bridgewater State 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Bridgewater State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Bridgewater State $11,808
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Bridgewater State $17,948
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Bridgewater State $15,247
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Bridgewater State $15,646
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Bridgewater State $10,318
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Bridgewater State 86%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Bridgewater State 52%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Bridgewater State $45,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Bridgewater State 64%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Bridgewater State $24,590
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Bridgewater State $254
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Bridgewater State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Bridgewater State
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Bridgewater State Bridgewater, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Bridgewater State Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Bridgewater State 9,727
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Bridgewater State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Bridgewater State #553

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Bridgewater State University is in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Bridgewater State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 17.1% lower than at Amherst College ($15,247 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 292.7% higher at Amherst than at Bridgewater State University (about $52,532 more per year; $70,480 vs. $17,948).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Amherst College (86% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 564.8% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($68,591 vs. $10,318).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Amherst than at Bridgewater State (34 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Bridgewater State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.7 higher than at Bridgewater State (3.21).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 19.4% at Bridgewater State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $11,615 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($12,975 vs. $24,590).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($134 vs. $254).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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