Bridgewater State vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley ($15,646 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 27.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($15,247 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 468.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $55,368 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 274.3% higher at Wellesley than at Bridgewater State University (about $49,228 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Wellesley College (86% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 521.4% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($64,116 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 350 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Wellesley students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Bridgewater State vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $15,690 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($8,900 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $162 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($92 vs. $254).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.