Bridgewater State vs. WPI

Comparable Facts

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

Bridgewater State University is larger than WPI based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 7,584 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting); Worcester Polytechnic Institute is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bridgewater State University 17:1; Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Bridgewater State vs. WPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bridgewater State or WPI? 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 WPI ($15,646 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 17.1% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($15,247 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 416.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $49,157 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 239.7% higher at WPI than at Bridgewater State University (about $43,017 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute than at Bridgewater State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students is 205.7% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($31,545 vs. $10,318).

Bridgewater State vs. WPI Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 1060/1263.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bridgewater State University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bridgewater State - Test optional; WPI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027; WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Bridgewater State vs. 18.1% at WPI.

Bridgewater State vs. WPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $37,000 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bridgewater State University graduates have a $2,410 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($24,590 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bridgewater State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.