Bentley vs. Bridgewater State

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, 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 Bentley based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 5,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bentley vs. Bridgewater State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley 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 Bentley ($15,646 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 24.3% lower than at Bentley University ($15,247 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 416.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $49,192 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 239.9% higher at Bentley than at Bridgewater State University (about $43,052 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Bridgewater State University (88% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 226.4% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($33,673 vs. $10,318).

Bentley vs. Bridgewater State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley 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 Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bentley University (1360) is 200 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bentley students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; Bridgewater State University 1060/1263.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Bridgewater State University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Bridgewater State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 19.4% at Bridgewater State.

Bentley vs. Bridgewater State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley 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).

• Bentley University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $41,500 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $1,910 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($24,590 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($254 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.