Bridgewater State vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 9,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Bridgewater State vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or WCU? 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 WCU ($15,646 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 2.7% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($14,828 vs. $15,247).
• Bridgewater State University is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $1,033 more per year; $11,808.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.9% higher at WCU than at Bridgewater State University (about $4,651 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (86% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater State University students is 80.7% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($10,318 vs. $5,709).

Bridgewater State vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 30 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Bridgewater State vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,090 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($242 vs. $254).
• More WCU 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.