Bridgewater State vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia ($15,646 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 11.3% lower than at Arcadia University ($15,247 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 320.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $37,802 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 176.4% higher at Arcadia than at Bridgewater State University (about $31,662 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Bridgewater State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 236.4% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($34,705 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 10 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

Bridgewater State vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,410 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.