Bridgewater State vs. Rutgers University-Newark

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 9,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bridgewater State vs. Rutgers University-Newark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark ($15,646 vs. $18,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 5.1% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($15,247 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 46.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $5,442 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.8% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Bridgewater State University (about $18,814 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Rutgers University Newark (86% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 68.7% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($17,405 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Rutgers University-Newark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bridgewater State or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark and Bridgewater State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 10 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Rutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rutgers University-Newark students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark.

Bridgewater State vs. Rutgers University-Newark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Rutgers University-Newark? 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $2,375 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($22,215 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($229 vs. $254).
• More Rutgers University-Newark 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.