Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington ($15,646 vs. $19,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 5.1% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($14,474 vs. $15,247).
• Penn State Abington is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $3,460 more per year; $15,268.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43% higher at Penn State Abington than at Bridgewater State University (about $7,716 more per year; $25,664.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Penn State Abington (86% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($10,318 vs. $9,883).

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Abington (1170) is 10 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Abington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Penn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Abington students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Bridgewater State (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,228 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($24,590 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($254 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Abington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.