Bridgewater State vs. Nichols

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

Bridgewater State University
Nichols College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Nichols (80.8% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bridgewater State. Average net price is $15,646 vs $32,337 at Nichols.
  • Graduation: Bridgewater State 52% vs Nichols 43%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bridgewater State $45,700 vs Nichols $51,800 (median).
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Key differences

Bridgewater State University Nichols College
Acceptance rate
Nichols more selective
Bridgewater State87.8%
Nichols80.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bridgewater State higher
Bridgewater State1060-1263
Nichols1028-1236
Average net price
Bridgewater State $16,691 less
Bridgewater State$15,646
Nichols$32,337
In-state tuition
Bridgewater State $30,897 less
Bridgewater State$11,808
Nichols$42,705
Out-of-state tuition
Bridgewater State $24,757 less
Bridgewater State$17,948
Nichols$42,705
Graduation rate
Bridgewater State +9 pts
Bridgewater State52%
Nichols43%
Median earnings (10 years)
Nichols +$6,100
Bridgewater State$45,700
Nichols$51,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bridgewater State 9,096
  • Nichols 2,296
  • Admitted
  • Bridgewater State 7,987
  • Nichols 1,856
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bridgewater State 87.8%
  • Nichols 80.8% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bridgewater State 19.4%
  • Nichols 18.1% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bridgewater State 1160
  • Nichols 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bridgewater State 27
  • Nichols
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bridgewater State 3.21
  • Nichols 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bridgewater State B+
  • Nichols B
  • Admissions standards
  • Bridgewater State Challenging
  • Nichols Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Bridgewater State
  • Nichols
  • SAT range
  • Bridgewater State 1060-1263
  • Nichols 1028-1236
  • ACT range
  • Bridgewater State 25-30
  • Nichols
  • Submit test scores
  • Bridgewater State Test optional
  • Nichols Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027
  • Nichols
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bridgewater State $11,808
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bridgewater State $17,948
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Room & board
  • Bridgewater State $15,247
  • Nichols $15,800
  • Average net price
  • Bridgewater State $15,646
  • Nichols $32,337
  • Average grant aid
  • Bridgewater State $10,318
  • Nichols $25,809
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bridgewater State 86%
  • Nichols 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bridgewater State 52%
  • Nichols 43%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bridgewater State $45,700
  • Nichols $51,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bridgewater State 64%
  • Nichols 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bridgewater State $24,590
  • Nichols $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bridgewater State $254
  • Nichols $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bridgewater State 17:1
  • Nichols 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bridgewater State
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Nichols
    • Business (75%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
    • Education (2%)
  • Location
  • Bridgewater State Bridgewater, MA
  • Nichols Dudley, MA
  • Setting
  • Bridgewater State Large Suburban
  • Nichols Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Bridgewater State 9,727
  • Nichols 1,392
  • Type
  • Bridgewater State Public 4 Year
  • Nichols Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bridgewater State #553
  • Nichols #855

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,392 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 3.5% lower than at Nichols College ($15,247 vs. $15,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 137.9% higher at Nichols than at Bridgewater State University (about $24,757 more per year; $42,705 vs. $17,948).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Bridgewater State University (99% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 150.1% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($25,809 vs. $10,318).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Bridgewater State, open admission at Nichols.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bridgewater State average a 3.21 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at Nichols (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,410 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($254 vs. $279).
  • More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation (68% 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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