WestConn vs. Bridgewater State

Should I go to Western Connecticut State University or Bridgewater State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WestConn or Bridgewater State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Connecticut State University vs. Bridgewater State University comparison
Western Connecticut State University Bridgewater State University College 3 College 4
Western Connecticut State University Bridgewater State University
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Overview

 WestConn Bridgewater State
Location Danbury, CT Bridgewater, MA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,417 9,604
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #466 #674
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu bridgew.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WestConn Bridgewater State
Tuition (In State) $6,464 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $7,050
Room & Board $14,568 $14,162
Avg Net Price $15,862 $17,225
Avg Grant Aid $9,057 $8,616
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 82%

Admission

 WestConn Bridgewater State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 8,807
Admitted 4,253 7,725
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 87.7%
Enrolled % 14.8% 20.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/29 19/25
SAT Range 1010/1230 1030/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025

Academics

 WestConn Bridgewater State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

 WestConn Bridgewater State
Graduation Rate 40% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $45,700
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,590
Median Loan Payment $258 $254

Diversity

 WestConn Bridgewater State
% Men 45% 39%
% Women 55% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 78%
% Black 12% 9%
% Hispanic 18% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 WestConn Bridgewater State
% In-State 70% 93%
% Out-of-State 30% 7%

Campus

 WestConn Bridgewater State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bridgewater State University is larger than than WestConn based on total student enrollment (9,604 students vs. 4,417 students)

WestConn vs. Bridgewater State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Bridgewater State?

  • Western Connecticut State University is 610.3% more expensive to attend than Bridgewater State for in-state tuition ($6,464.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 174.6% higher at WestConn than Bridgewater State University ($19,358.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Connecticut State University than Bridgewater State ($15,862 vs. $17,225)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater State University are 2.9% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($14,162 vs. $14,568)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bridgewater State University than Western Connecticut State University (82% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 5.1% larger than aid received Bridgewater State University ($9,057 vs. $8,616)

WestConn vs. Bridgewater State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Bridgewater State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bridgewater State or WestConn .

  • Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Bridgewater State (3.21)
  • Bridgewater State has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than WestConn (83.5%)

WestConn vs. Bridgewater State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn or Bridgewater State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bridgewater State and WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at Bridgewater State is higher than Western Connecticut State University (52% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $1,700 more per year than Bridgewater State graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $45,700)
  • Bridgewater State University students graduate with a $410 lower median federal student loan debt than WestConn graduates. ($24,590 vs. $25,000)
  • Bridgewater State graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than WestConn graduates. ($254 vs. $258)
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bridgewater State students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/