Bridgewater State vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Bridgewater State vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or MHC? 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 MHC ($15,646 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 22.5% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($15,247 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 467.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $55,210 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 273.4% higher at MHC than at Bridgewater State University (about $49,070 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Mount Holyoke College (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 408% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($52,418 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. MHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 300 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming MHC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Bridgewater State vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($21,206 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($219 vs. $254).
• More MHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.