Bridgewater State vs. FDU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1.

Bridgewater State vs. FDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or FDU? 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 FDU ($15,646 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 6.3% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($15,247 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 221.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $26,196 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.7% higher at FDU than at Bridgewater State University (about $20,056 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Bridgewater State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 174.2% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($28,294 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. FDU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bridgewater State or FDU? 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 FDU and Bridgewater State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (1180) is 20 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; FDU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Bridgewater State (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 10.5% at FDU.

Bridgewater State vs. FDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and FDU? 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).

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $1,410 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($24,590 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($254 vs. $268).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

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.