TU vs. Bridgewater State

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Bridgewater State based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 9,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Bridgewater State University is in Bridgewater, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Bridgewater State University 17:1.

TU vs. Bridgewater State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 TU ($15,646 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 6.2% lower than at Towson University ($15,247 vs. $16,260).
• Bridgewater State University is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $80 more per year; $11,808.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.1% higher at TU than at Bridgewater State University (about $11,872 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $17,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater State University than at Towson University (86% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Bridgewater State University students ($11,820 vs. $10,318).

TU vs. Bridgewater State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bridgewater State University (1160) is 70 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming Bridgewater State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Bridgewater State University 1060/1263.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Bridgewater State University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Bridgewater State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; Bridgewater State Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21).
• Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 19.4% at Bridgewater State.

TU vs. Bridgewater State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Bridgewater State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $6,840 lower median loan debt than Bridgewater State graduates ($17,750 vs. $24,590).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bridgewater State graduates ($183 vs. $254).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.