Bridgewater State vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College ($15,646 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 12.1% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($13,406 vs. $15,247).
• Cedar Crest College is 292.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $34,506 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Bridgewater State University (about $28,366 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedar Crest College than at Bridgewater State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 223% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($33,323 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bridgewater State or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College and Bridgewater State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 40 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• 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; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cedar Crest College 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 Cedar Crest College (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

Bridgewater State vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Cedar Crest College? 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).

• Bridgewater State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $3,160 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($254 vs. $286).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

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.