Bridgewater State vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

Bridgewater State vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or MCLA? 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 MCLA ($15,646 vs. $16,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 0.9% lower than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($15,247 vs. $15,386).
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $628 more per year; $12,436.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.1% higher at MCLA than at Bridgewater State University (about $3,433 more per year; $21,381.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than at Bridgewater State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater State University students is 14.1% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($10,318 vs. $9,045).

Bridgewater State vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 90 points higher than at MCLA (1070).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at MCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bridgewater State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at MCLA (3.2).
• MCLA has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Bridgewater State (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

Bridgewater State vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater State University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $69 lower median loan debt than MCLA graduates ($24,590 vs. $24,659).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Bridgewater State graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($254 vs. $254).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCLA students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.