At $17,970/yr net price, Bridgewater State University graduates earn $57,466/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,466/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,970 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $71,880 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,466/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,466/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,286 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,267/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,771/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,464/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,161/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,091/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $68,858 | $17,089 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,177 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $60,623 | $24,586 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Master | $54,661 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $54,053 | $40,772 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $53,775 | $20,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $50,161 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,869 | $23,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $46,380 | $30,750 |
The Risk Factor
54.6% of students at Bridgewater State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Bridgewater State gives you a moderate financial return with a clear split between fields. At about $18,000 a year in net price and $57,466 median earnings a decade out, you can recover your costs, but the margin depends heavily on what you study. Median debt of $24,286 is manageable against those earnings.
Computer science is the one program that pays off cleanly here, clearing $60,000 while carrying roughly the same debt load as every other major. That extra $14,000 a year over accounting graduates is real money that compounds. Accounting, management, chemistry, and mathematics all land in the mid-$40,000s, meaning your degree in those fields earns below the school-wide median while you still borrow $23,000 to $27,000. Chemistry graduates carry the highest debt of the top five at $27,000 yet earn less than computer science students who borrow $2,400 more. If you plan on chemistry or math and stop at a bachelor's, run the numbers carefully before enrolling.
The biggest risk here is completion. A 54.6% graduation rate and 76.87% retention mean a meaningful share of you will leave with debt and no degree, which is the worst financial outcome. Massachusetts and the greater Boston job market support the CS and business earnings you see, so location works in your favor if you finish.
Net price scales sharply with income. Under $30,000 you pay about $11,300. over $110,000 you pay roughly $22,100. Lower-income families get real discounting, so the sticker should not scare you off. This school fits you if you can commit to graduating and lean toward computer science or business. If you want a low-paying major and are unsure you'll finish, the debt-to-earnings math gets thin fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bridgewater State University worth the cost compared to other Massachusetts schools?
Bridgewater State offers reasonable value with a net price of $17,970 and 10-year earnings of $57,466, making it more affordable than many Massachusetts colleges. However, the 55% graduation rate means many students don't finish their degree, which significantly hurts ROI.
What are the best paying majors at Bridgewater State University?
Accounting leads at $68,858 in 10-year earnings, followed by business administration at $61,177 and computer science at $60,623. English and social work majors earn around $54,000, which barely justifies the cost given typical debt levels.
How much debt do Bridgewater State University graduates typically have?
The median debt is $24,286, which is manageable for higher-paying majors like accounting or business. Students in lower-paying fields like English or social work may struggle to pay this back quickly.
Should I attend Bridgewater State University if I'm not sure about my major?
With an 87% acceptance rate and 55% graduation rate, many students struggle to complete their degree at Bridgewater State. If you're undecided on major, the low graduation rate suggests this may not be the best environment for exploring options.