BU vs. Bridgewater State

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 9,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Bridgewater State University is in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Bridgewater State University 17:1.

BU vs. Bridgewater State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Bridgewater State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater State University than BU ($15,646 vs. $24,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 19.8% lower than at Boston University ($15,247 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 476.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $56,294 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 279.4% higher at BU than at Bridgewater State University (about $50,154 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Boston University (86% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 499.4% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($61,848 vs. $10,318).

BU vs. Bridgewater State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or Bridgewater State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bridgewater State and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 320 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming BU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Bridgewater State University 1060/1263.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Bridgewater State University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Bridgewater State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 19.4% at Bridgewater State.

BU vs. Bridgewater State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Bridgewater State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $26,300 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,410 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.