Bridgewater State vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes ($15,646 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 5.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,247 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 268.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $31,688 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.3% higher at Wilkes than at Bridgewater State University (about $25,548 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Bridgewater State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 174.5% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($28,324 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 20 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Bridgewater State (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Bridgewater State vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $1,410 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($24,590 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($254 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.