Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Bridgewater, Massachusetts |
| Online | bridgew.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Bridgewater State University, located 30 miles south of Boston in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, operates as a public institution on a 270-acre suburban campus. Founded in 1840 as one of the first normal schools in the United States, BSU has evolved from its origins in teacher preparation to become the comprehensive state university of Southeastern Massachusetts. The university maintains its strong heritage in education while offering undergraduate and graduate programs across arts and sciences, business, and aviation science, with its College of Education and flight training program being particularly notable. The campus features a mix of historic Victorian-era and modern buildings, including multiple residential halls that house approximately one-third of the undergraduate population, and competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Bears in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Bridgewater State is rated within the lower 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bridgewater State University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#674 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#231 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#41 in Best Colleges in Massachusetts
#10 in Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts
#52 in Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1030/1210 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.21 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Massachusetts Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $10,141 |
| Room and Board | $14,162 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,100 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,313 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $10,141 |
| Room and Board | $14,162 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,100 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,453 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 17% |
| Business | 15% |
| Psychology | 12% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 10% |
| English and Literature | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Bridgewater State are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=165024 IPEDS survey data for Bridgewater State University.
Current students may use the Bridgewater State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024