Bridgewater State vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Williams College 6:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Williams? 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 Williams ($15,646 vs. $15,894).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 11.7% lower than at Williams College ($15,247 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 480.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $56,752 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 282% higher at Williams than at Bridgewater State University (about $50,612 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Williams College (86% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 568.4% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($68,966 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 370 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Williams 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; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 43% at Williams.

Bridgewater State vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $27,900 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $10,008 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($14,582 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($150 vs. $254).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.