Bridgewater State University

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Bridgewater, MA
  • 0 reviews
#7 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

Overview

Total enrollment

9,727
Bridgewater State University overview
Bridgewater State University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • 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

Bridgewater State is rated within the top 49% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    6 out of 10
  • Academics
    7 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    4 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging
Bridgewater State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1060/1263
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 25/30
  • GPA 3.21

Acceptance Rate

87.8%
Bridgewater State University applications overview
  • Applications Due Feb 15, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 19.4%
  • Application Fee $50

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Massachusetts Resident Tuition

$11,808

Out of State Resident Tuition

$17,948

Breakdown

In State Costs for Bridgewater State University
  • Tuition $11,808
  • Books and Supplies $2,200
  • Other Fees $10,898
  • Room and Board $15,247
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,845
  • Total One Year Cost $43,998

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$45,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

52% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Bridgewater State University are Education, Business, and Psychology. 17% of students major in Education, 15% in Business, and 12% in Psychology.

  • Education 17%
  • Business 15%
  • Psychology 12%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 10%
  • English and Literature 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Bridgewater State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=165024.

GPA calculator: Bridgewater State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026