Bridgewater State vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

Bridgewater State vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or TCNJ? 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 TCNJ ($15,646 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 1.8% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($14,976 vs. $15,247).
• The College of New Jersey is 66.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $7,824 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at TCNJ than at Bridgewater State University (about $7,804 more per year; $25,752.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at The College of New Jersey (86% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 29.5% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($13,360 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 80 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TCNJ students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

Bridgewater State vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and TCNJ? 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $1,340 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($240 vs. $254).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.