Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bridgewater State University at a Glance
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.
1840
186 years old
9,492
7,949 undergrad · 1,543 grad
270 acres
Identity
Is Bridgewater State University Worth It?
Bridgewater State University offers moderate value at $16,383/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,466, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Bridgewater State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #42 of 117 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #5 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #6 | California State University-East Bay | 90 | $9,320 | $71,401 |
| #42 | Bridgewater State University | 47 | $16,383 | $57,466 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Bridgewater State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MA.
Best Programs at Bridgewater State University
The highest-earning program at Bridgewater State University is Computer Science at $55,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $26,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Bridgewater State University earns $55,400, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $26,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $25,500 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,383/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $55,400 | $55,400 | $25,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,100 | $45,100 | $23,125 |
| Chemistry | $43,300 | $43,300 | $27,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $41,800 | $41,800 | $24,727 |
| Mathematics | $40,900 | $40,900 | $26,501 |
| Economics | $38,600 | $38,600 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $36,000 | $36,000 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,200 | $35,200 | $24,754 |
| Social Work | $35,200 | $35,200 | $24,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,800 | $34,800 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,300 | $34,300 | $27,000 |
| Air Transportation | $32,500 | $32,500 | $26,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $32,100 | $32,100 | $25,460 |
| History | $32,000 | $32,000 | $25,770 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $31,500 | $31,500 | $23,250 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $31,300 | $31,300 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $23,890 |
| Sociology | $30,500 | $30,500 | $25,948 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $26,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $29,900 | $29,900 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,000 | $26,000 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bridgewater, MA
- Student Body
- 7,829 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,383
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,466
- Median Student Debt
- $24,286