Bridgewater State vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Emerson? 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 Emerson ($15,646 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 27.1% lower than at Emerson College ($15,247 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 383.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $45,248 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 217.9% higher at Emerson than at Bridgewater State University (about $39,108 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Emerson College (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 161.6% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($26,997 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 190 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Bridgewater State vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,090 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($242 vs. $254).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.