Bridgewater State vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Bridgewater State vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland ($15,646 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 2% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($15,247 vs. $15,560).
• Bridgewater State University is 33.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $2,934 more per year; $11,808.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at SUNY Cortland than at Bridgewater State University (about $836 more per year; $18,784.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at State University of New York at Cortland (86% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater State University students is 25% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($10,318 vs. $8,254).

Bridgewater State vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 10 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Bridgewater State vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $3,090 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($222 vs. $254).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.