Bridgewater State vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Elms 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 Elms College ($15,646 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 2.3% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($15,247 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 266.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $31,517 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.4% higher at Elms College than at Bridgewater State University (about $25,377 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Bridgewater State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 227.5% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($33,794 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bridgewater State or Elms 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 Elms College and Bridgewater State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 80 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• 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; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elms 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 Elms College (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Bridgewater State vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Elms 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).

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $600 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $410 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($24,590 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($254 vs. $258).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.