Bridgewater State vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University than Bridgewater State ($15,340 vs. $15,646).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 1.3% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($15,247 vs. $15,452).
• Bridgewater State University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $462 more per year; $11,808.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Bridgewater State than at Fitchburg State University (about $522 more per year; $17,948.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Bridgewater State University (92% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($11,539 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 10 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• 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; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

Bridgewater State vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater State University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $1,905 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($22,685 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($234 vs. $254).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.