Bridgewater State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

Bridgewater State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($15,646 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 5.9% lower than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($15,247 vs. $16,200).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 441.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $52,152 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 256.4% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Bridgewater State University (about $46,012 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Bridgewater State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 371.7% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($48,666 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bridgewater State or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Bridgewater State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310) is 150 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Incoming Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Bridgewater State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

Bridgewater State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bridgewater State and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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).

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $1,410 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($24,590 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($254 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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.