Bridgewater State vs. Dean College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Dean College in Franklin, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Dean College is in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Dean College 15:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Dean College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Dean 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 Dean College ($15,646 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 23.2% lower than at Dean College ($15,247 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 294% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $34,718 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.2% higher at Dean College than at Bridgewater State University (about $28,578 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Bridgewater State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 219.4% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($32,958 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Dean College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263.
• 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; Dean College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Bridgewater State students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 8.7% at Dean College.

Bridgewater State vs. Dean College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Dean 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater State University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $8,237 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($16,353 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($169 vs. $254).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 53%)

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.