Bridgewater State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 9,727 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bridgewater State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? 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 University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($15,646 vs. $16,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 5.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Lowell ($15,247 vs. $16,148).
• University of Massachusetts Lowell is 43.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $5,158 more per year; $16,966.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.1% higher at University of Massachusetts-Lowell than at Bridgewater State University (about $18,316 more per year; $36,264.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (86% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($15,098 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bridgewater State or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Bridgewater State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Lowell (1280) is 120 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bridgewater State University 25/30; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman University of Massachusetts-Lowell students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Bridgewater State vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bridgewater State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell 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 $410 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($24,590 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($254 vs. $258).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.