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Bridgewater State University vs Harvard University

Bridgewater State University is a public university in Bridgewater, MA. Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants and Bridgewater State University about 88%, making Harvard University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,383 a year at Bridgewater State University after aid, and about $19,066 at Harvard University. About 97% of students graduate at Harvard University, compared with 54% at Bridgewater State University. Ten years after enrolling, Harvard University alumni earn a median of about $101,817, against $57,466 for Bridgewater State University.

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, MA · Public

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Bridgewater, MA
Cambridge, MA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
7,829
7,601
Acceptance rate
88%
4%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.32–3.82
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1060–1263
1510–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
25–30
34–36
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,383
$19,066
Full cost / yr
$26,160
$85,540
In-state tuition
$11,808
$61,676
Out-of-state tuition
$17,948
$61,676
Application fee
$50
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,007
$8,697
$30k - $48k
$11,579
$2,991
$48k - $75k
$13,559
$2,091
$75k - $110k
$16,904
$9,941
Over $110k
$21,176
$53,337
Outcomes
Graduation rate
54%
97%
Freshman retention
75%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,673
$99,572
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,466
$101,817
Median debt at graduation
$24,286
$14,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
32%
16%
First-generation students
34%
26%
International students
1%
15%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Nov 1
Regular decision
Feb 15
Jan 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bridgewater State University or Harvard University harder to get into?
Harvard University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 88% at Bridgewater State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bridgewater State University or Harvard University?
Bridgewater State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,383 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,066 at Harvard University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Bridgewater State University and Harvard University?
Before aid, Bridgewater State University costs about $26,160 a year and Harvard University about $85,540. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bridgewater State University or Harvard University?
Harvard University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,697 there, against about $10,007 at Bridgewater State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bridgewater State University or Harvard University?
Bridgewater State University is the larger of the two, with about 7,829 undergraduates against 7,601 at Harvard University.
Does Bridgewater State University or Harvard University have a better graduation rate?
Harvard University has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 54% at Bridgewater State University.
Do graduates of Bridgewater State University or Harvard University earn more?
Harvard University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $101,817 ten years after enrolling, against about $57,466 for Bridgewater State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bridgewater State University and Harvard University require SAT or ACT scores?
Bridgewater State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Harvard University requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Bridgewater State University and Harvard University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1060–1263 at Bridgewater State University and 1510–1580 at Harvard University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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