Bridgewater State vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 9,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bridgewater State vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Portland State University? 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 Portland State University than Bridgewater State ($10,195 vs. $15,646).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 10% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($13,728 vs. $15,247).
• Bridgewater State University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $129 more per year; $11,808.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.1% higher at Portland State University than at Bridgewater State University (about $13,126 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at Bridgewater State University (89% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 3% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($10,629 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 30 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Portland State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Bridgewater State (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

Bridgewater State vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Portland State University? 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 Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $1,956 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($22,634 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($234 vs. $254).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 55%)

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.