Bridgewater State vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Nichols? 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 Nichols ($15,646 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 3.5% lower than at Nichols College ($15,247 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 261.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $30,897 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.9% higher at Nichols than at Bridgewater State University (about $24,757 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Bridgewater State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 150.1% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($25,809 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 30 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• 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; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bridgewater State students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Bridgewater State vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Nichols? 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 Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,410 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.