Bridgewater State vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bridgewater State vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($15,646 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 3.7% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($15,247 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 302.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $35,697 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 164.7% higher at Jefferson than at Bridgewater State University (about $29,557 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Bridgewater State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 239.3% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($35,007 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 90 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Jefferson (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Jefferson (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Bridgewater State vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $77,200 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $12,090 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($12,500 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($129 vs. $254).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.