Amherst vs. Bridgewater State

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Amherst vs. Bridgewater State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Bridgewater State? 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 Amherst ($15,646 vs. $19,049).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 17.1% lower than at Amherst College ($15,247 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 496.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $58,672 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 292.7% higher at Amherst than at Bridgewater State University (about $52,532 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Amherst College (86% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 564.8% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($68,591 vs. $10,318).

Amherst vs. Bridgewater State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 380 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Amherst 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: Amherst College 1490/1580; Bridgewater State University 1060/1263.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Bridgewater State University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Bridgewater State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 19.4% at Bridgewater State.

Amherst vs. Bridgewater State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $36,300 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $11,615 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($12,975 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($134 vs. $254).
• More Amherst 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.