Bridgewater State vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bridgewater State vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Holy Cross? 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 Holy Cross ($15,646 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 19% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($15,247 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 446.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $52,692 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 259.4% higher at Holy Cross than at Bridgewater State University (about $46,552 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at College of the Holy Cross (86% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 329.7% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($44,334 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 170 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Holy Cross 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: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Bridgewater State vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Holy Cross? 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 the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $34,700 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,910 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($254 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.