Bridgewater State vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 9,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($15,646 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 22.1% lower than at Northeastern University ($15,247 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 460.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $54,354 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 268.6% higher at Northeastern than at Bridgewater State University (about $48,214 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Northeastern University (86% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 388.7% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($50,421 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 330 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Northeastern - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Bridgewater State vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $23,800 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $3,285 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($254 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.