Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg ($15,646 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 5.1% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($14,474 vs. $15,247).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 35.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $4,164 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Bridgewater State University (about $9,010 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Penn State Harrisburg (86% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater State University students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($10,318 vs. $9,245).

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 60 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Bridgewater State (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Penn State Harrisburg? 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,228 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($24,590 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($254 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.