Bridgewater State vs. Gordon College

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Gordon College based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,595 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Gordon College is in Wenham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gordon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Gordon College 10:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Gordon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Gordon 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 Gordon College ($15,646 vs. $25,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 12.8% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($13,300 vs. $15,247).
• Gordon College is 160% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $18,892 more per year; $30,700.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71% higher at Gordon College than at Bridgewater State University (about $12,752 more per year; $30,700.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon College than at Bridgewater State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gordon College students is 62.8% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($16,802 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Gordon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon College (1240) is 80 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Gordon College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Gordon College 1130/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Gordon College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Gordon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Gordon College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gordon College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Gordon College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 21.6% at Gordon College.

Bridgewater State vs. Gordon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Gordon 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).

• Gordon College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Gordon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,410 lower median loan debt than Gordon College graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gordon College graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More Gordon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.