Bridgewater State vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 9,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

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 Western Carolina University than Bridgewater State ($13,767 vs. $15,646).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 19% lower than at Bridgewater State University ($12,354 vs. $15,247).
• Bridgewater State University is 155% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $7,178 more per year; $11,808.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108% higher at Bridgewater State than at Western Carolina University (about $9,318 more per year; $17,948.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Western Carolina University (86% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater State University students is 72.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,318 vs. $5,993).

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 Western Carolina University (1180) is 20 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 12.7% 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).

• Bridgewater State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Bridgewater State University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,580 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($227 vs. $254).
• More Bridgewater State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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.