Western Illinois University vs. Bridgewater State

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Bridgewater State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Bridgewater State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Illinois University vs. Bridgewater State University comparison
Western Illinois University Bridgewater State University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Bridgewater State University
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Overview

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
Location Macomb, IL Bridgewater, MA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,643 9,604
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579 #674
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu bridgew.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $7,050
Room & Board $10,500 $14,162
Avg Net Price $11,213 $17,225
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $8,616
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 82%

Admission

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 8,807
Admitted 6,914 7,725
Acceptance Rate 75% 87.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 20.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 880/1090 1030/1210
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2024

Academics

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
Graduation Rate 53% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $45,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,590
Median Loan Payment $255 $254

Diversity

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
% Men 43% 39%
% Women 57% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 78%
% Black 19% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
% In-State 89% 93%
% Out-of-State 10% 7%

Campus

Western Illinois University Bridgewater State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bridgewater State University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,604 students vs. 7,643 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Bridgewater State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Bridgewater State?

  • Western Illinois University is 945.6% more expensive to attend than Bridgewater State for in-state tuition ($9,515.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35% higher at Western Illinois University than Bridgewater State University ($9,515.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Bridgewater State ($11,213 vs. $17,225)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 34.9% lower than costs at Bridgewater State University ($10,500 vs. $14,162)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Illinois University than Bridgewater State University (94% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 81.4% larger than aid received Bridgewater State University ($15,632 vs. $8,616)

Western Illinois University vs. Bridgewater State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Bridgewater State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bridgewater State or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Bridgewater State University (996) is 26 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21)
  • Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Bridgewater State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Bridgewater State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bridgewater State and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Bridgewater State University (53% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $300 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $45,700)
  • Bridgewater State University students graduate with a $114 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,590 vs. $24,704)
  • Bridgewater State graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($254 vs. $255)
  • More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/