Bridgewater State vs. Emerson

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

Bridgewater State University
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bridgewater State. Average net price is $15,646 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Bridgewater State 52% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bridgewater State $45,700 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Bridgewater State University Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Bridgewater State87.8%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Bridgewater State1060-1263
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
Bridgewater State $37,786 less
Bridgewater State$15,646
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Bridgewater State $45,248 less
Bridgewater State$11,808
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Bridgewater State $39,108 less
Bridgewater State$17,948
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Emerson +29 pts
Bridgewater State52%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$3,500
Bridgewater State$45,700
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bridgewater State 9,096
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • Bridgewater State 7,987
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bridgewater State 87.8%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bridgewater State 19.4%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bridgewater State 1160
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bridgewater State 27
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bridgewater State 3.21
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bridgewater State B+
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bridgewater State Challenging
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Bridgewater State
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • Bridgewater State 1060-1263
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • Bridgewater State 25-30
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Bridgewater State Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bridgewater State $11,808
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bridgewater State $17,948
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • Bridgewater State $15,247
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • Bridgewater State $15,646
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • Bridgewater State $10,318
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bridgewater State 86%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bridgewater State 52%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bridgewater State $45,700
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bridgewater State 64%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bridgewater State $24,590
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bridgewater State $254
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bridgewater State 17:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bridgewater State
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • Bridgewater State Bridgewater, MA
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Bridgewater State Large Suburban
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bridgewater State 9,727
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • Bridgewater State Public 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bridgewater State #553
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 27.1% lower than at Emerson College ($15,247 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 217.9% higher at Emerson than at Bridgewater State University (about $39,108 more per year; $57,056 vs. $17,948).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Emerson College (86% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 161.6% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($26,997 vs. $10,318).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Emerson than at Bridgewater State (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bridgewater State and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.52 higher than at Bridgewater State (3.21).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,090 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,590).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($242 vs. $254).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation (80% 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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