Bridgewater State vs. Salem State University

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

Bridgewater State University
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bridgewater State (87.8% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1160 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bridgewater State. Average net price is $15,646 vs $17,541 at Salem State University.
  • Graduation: Bridgewater State 52% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bridgewater State $45,700 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

Bridgewater State University Salem State University
Acceptance rate
Bridgewater State more selective
Bridgewater State87.8%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bridgewater State higher
Bridgewater State1060-1263
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
Bridgewater State $1,895 less
Bridgewater State$15,646
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
Bridgewater State $530 less
Bridgewater State$11,808
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Bridgewater State $1,583 less
Bridgewater State$17,948
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
Bridgewater State +10 pts
Bridgewater State52%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bridgewater State +$1,300
Bridgewater State$45,700
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bridgewater State 9,096
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • Bridgewater State 7,987
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bridgewater State 87.8%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bridgewater State 19.4%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bridgewater State 1160
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bridgewater State 27
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bridgewater State 3.21
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bridgewater State B+
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Bridgewater State Challenging
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Bridgewater State
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • Bridgewater State 1060-1263
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • Bridgewater State 25-30
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • Bridgewater State Test optional
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bridgewater State $11,808
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bridgewater State $17,948
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • Bridgewater State $15,247
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • Bridgewater State $15,646
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • Bridgewater State $10,318
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bridgewater State 86%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bridgewater State 52%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bridgewater State $45,700
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bridgewater State 64%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bridgewater State $24,590
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bridgewater State $254
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bridgewater State 17:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bridgewater State
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • Bridgewater State Bridgewater, MA
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • Bridgewater State Large Suburban
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Bridgewater State 9,727
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • Bridgewater State Public 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bridgewater State #553
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 9.4% lower than at Salem State University ($15,247 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at Salem State University than at Bridgewater State University (about $1,583 more per year; $19,531 vs. $17,948).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Bridgewater State University (98% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 0% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($10,319 vs. $10,318).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Bridgewater State, test-free at Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bridgewater State average a 3.21 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $590 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,590).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($248 vs. $254).
  • More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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