
Bridgewater State University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of an individual degree program.
This status is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when students seek to transfer credit or pursue graduate study. It does not mean another college must accept every BSU course. Some professions also require graduation from a specifically accredited program, approved coursework, supervised experience, examinations, or a state license. Applicants considering teaching, social work, business, or another regulated or professionally accredited field should check the status and requirements of the specific program, as well as the rules in the state where they intend to practice.
First-year admission to Bridgewater State University is selective rather than open admission. Applicants generally submit an application and a secondary-school transcript showing graduation or an accepted equivalent; the university reviews high school coursework and GPA.
SAT and ACT scores are considered but are not required under the reported admissions policy. Only a small share of enrolled first-year students submitted scores - about 8% submitted SAT results - so a published score midpoint should not be treated as a requirement or as a description of the entire entering class. Recommendations may be considered but are not generally required. Applicants whose prior education was not in English should check the university's English-proficiency requirements, including accepted tests and possible exemptions.
For context, approximately 88% of first-year applicants were admitted in the reported admissions cycle. That is an institution-wide figure, not a promise of admission to a particular applicant or restricted major. Application dates, academic preparation expectations, and any additional requirements should be checked for the intended entry term and program.
The reported undergraduate application fee for Bridgewater State University is $50. Because application charges and waiver procedures can change by admission cycle, applicants should confirm the amount shown in their application before paying.
Students for whom the fee presents a hardship should look for a fee-waiver option in the application and review BSU's admissions instructions before submission. First-year, transfer, graduate, and special-program applications may follow different processes. An application fee is separate from any later enrollment deposit or charge connected with attendance.
Bridgewater State students have reported access to Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC through cooperating host institutions, rather than through units identified as operating independently at BSU. Participation may require travel to another campus for classes, training, or both.
A prospective cadet should confirm the current host arrangement, transportation demands, course-credit treatment, and participation rules with the relevant ROTC program and BSU before enrolling. ROTC scholarships have separate applications and eligibility criteria; participating in ROTC and accepting certain scholarships or commissioning paths can also carry military service obligations.
Bridgewater State University accepts transfer applicants and generally considers college credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is reported for fall, spring, and summer, though availability and deadlines can vary by program and term.
Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from every college attended and check whether a high school record is needed for their circumstances. Admission to BSU and acceptance of particular courses toward a major are separate decisions: a course might transfer as elective credit without satisfying a specific requirement. BSU also reports accepting certain exam-based and evaluated learning credits, including CLEP, DSST, and ACE-recommended credit, subject to its policies.
Massachusetts community-college students should examine applicable statewide transfer pathways and program agreements. Before making an enrollment decision, a transfer applicant can seek an official credit evaluation and compare it with the major's remaining requirements and BSU's minimum in-residence coursework rules.
Bridgewater State University offers study-abroad advising and international learning opportunities that may include semester-length programs and shorter faculty-led experiences. Options differ in destination, academic calendar, eligibility, and whether BSU or a partner administers the program.
The key academic question is how courses will count toward a student's degree. Students should obtain approval for proposed coursework before committing to a program, particularly in tightly sequenced majors or teacher-preparation tracks. Program charges, travel costs, scholarships, and the treatment of existing financial aid can differ from a regular semester in Bridgewater.
19% of admitted students enrolled (1,551 of 7,987)
Application fee
$50Early Decision
NoEarly Action
Yes, deadline November 15Median composite SAT score
1105Median composite ACT score
24Percent of students submitting ACT scores
0.5%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
8%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
YesComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Neither required nor recommendedSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
Considered but not requiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.