ECSU vs. Bridgewater State

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bridgewater State University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (9,727 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Bridgewater State University is in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Bridgewater State University 17:1.

ECSU vs. Bridgewater State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Bridgewater State? 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 ECSU ($15,646 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 12.6% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,247 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bridgewater State (about $2,120 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $11,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Bridgewater State than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $520 more per year; $17,948.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Bridgewater State University (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($10,480 vs. $10,318).

ECSU vs. Bridgewater State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 10 points higher than at Bridgewater State (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Bridgewater State University 1060/1263.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBridgewater State University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Bridgewater State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 19.4% at Bridgewater State.

ECSU vs. Bridgewater State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Bridgewater State? 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 Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,590 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($237 vs. $254).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.