Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Penn State Berks? 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 Berks ($15,646 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 5.1% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($14,474 vs. $15,247).
• Penn State Berks is 35.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $4,164 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at Penn State Berks than at Bridgewater State University (about $9,010 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Penn State Berks (86% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater State University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($10,318 vs. $9,405).

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 20 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Berks students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Bridgewater State (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Bridgewater State vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Penn State Berks? 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).

• Penn State Berks's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks 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 Berks 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 Berks graduates ($254 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Berks 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.