Bridgewater State University — College Profile

About

Bridgewater State University, the largest public university in Southeastern Massachusetts, is best known for its rich history as a pioneer in teacher education and its commitment to accessible higher education. Beyond its highly regarded College of Education and Health Sciences, BSU features strong programs in criminal justice, psychology, and aviation science, the latter of which includes one of the few collegiate flight training programs in New England. Students experience a welcoming, community-focused campus that balances a vibrant residential life and NCAA Division III athletics with robust support for commuter and first-generation undergraduates. The university particularly sets itself apart through its renowned Adrian Tinsley Program, which provides undergraduate students with exceptional funding, grants, and faculty mentorship to conduct original research.

Wikipedia:Bridgewater State University is a public university with its main campus in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States. It is the largest of nine state universities in Massachusetts. Including its off-campus sites in New Bedford, Attleboro, and Cape Cod, BSU has the fourth-largest campus of the 29 institutions in the Massachusetts Public Higher Education System. BSU's sports teams are called the Bears. Its school colors are crimson, white, and black.

Location

Bridgewater, MA, 02325 · Suburb campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

BOS · Boston

26 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$11,808$17,948

Housing & food (on campus)$15,247$15,247

Books & supplies$2,200$2,200

Cost of attendance$26,160$32,300 est.

Average net price$16,383Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$17,948

In-state: $11,808

Housing & food (on campus)$15,247

Books & supplies$2,200

Cost of attendance$32,300 est.

In-state: $26,160

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $16,383

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$10,007

$30–48k

$11,579

$48–75k

$13,559

$75–110k

$16,904

$110k+

$21,176

Your family's actual price → Bridgewater State University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

54%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

32%

Back for yr 2

75%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

61% graduated · 22% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 16% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$46,673

10 yrs after entry$57,466

Debt

Median at graduation$24,286

Monthly payment$257

Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$27k

90th percentile$31,250

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

88%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1180

R 550–650 · M 510–613

ACT midpoint

Comp 25–30

SAT middle 50%: 1060–1263

40080012001600

Wondering if Bridgewater State University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list

Financial aid & net cost estimates

Deep dives on any school

Scholarship search

Get your college list →See a sample college plan first

Essay prompts

If Bridgewater State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 43%Women 57%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

17 : 1

Pell grant

32%

First-gen

34%

Family income

$57,864

Independent

19%

Veterans

Age at entry

21.0

Part-time

15%

Race & ethnicity

White

67%

Hispanic

11%

Black

11%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Equestrian
Women's
Field Hockey
Women's
Football
Men's
Lacrosse
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's
Wrestling
Men's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$46,673

After 10 yrs

$57,466

Psychology, General309

Criminal Justice and Corrections145

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods140

Communication and Media Studies135

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas127

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods124

Accounting and Related Services93

Marketing74

Social Work72

Biology, General70

History69

English Language and Literature, General68

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General59

Sociology55

Mathematics50

Computer Science47

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$76M

Full-time faculty

100%

Faculty salary

$11,130/mo

Teaching spend

$11,273

per student

Federal loans

75%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (larger programs)

Undergraduate profile