Research.com
Bridgewater State University logo

Bridgewater State University

#759 in US ranking Bridgewater, MA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$28,736
Tuition & fees
$19,134
Avg. aid
$10,024
Receiving aid
96%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
1060–1263
ACT range
25–30

Outcomes

Graduation rate
53%
Median salary
$45,871
1 yr after graduation

What does Bridgewater State University offer in terms of athletics?

Bridgewater State's Bears compete in NCAA Division III athletics. Many varsity teams participate in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC); conference affiliation can vary by sport.

Varsity opportunities include sports such as football, basketball, soccer, field hockey, baseball, softball, swimming and diving, and track and field. Students who do not pursue varsity competition can look for club sports, intramurals, and campus recreation or fitness activities, which differ in commitment and eligibility. NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships on the basis of athletic ability, although athletes may qualify for other forms of aid.

What student groups and Associations are available at Bridgewater State University?

Bridgewater State students can join organizations centered on academic interests, service, the arts, identity, and campus programming. Student government and activity-planning groups offer additional ways to participate in campus decisions and events.

Examples reported at BSU include Bears Who Care, the Environmental Action Team, a chapter of the Student Education Association of Massachusetts, Program Council, and the Student Theatre Association. A prospective member should check the current student-organization directory: a listed group's officers, meeting schedule, and active status can change from year to year. Joining an organization is different from using a university office or attending a one-time event.

Who studies at Bridgewater State University?

Bridgewater State enrolls about 9,727 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs. It primarily serves Massachusetts residents: approximately 92% of students in the reported geographic measure were from the state.

The reported entering population included 1,551 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 731 transfer-in students. Students of traditional college age form a large part of enrollment, but the age distribution also includes students in their late twenties and older. Reported race and ethnicity counts include White, Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Asian, and multiracial students, among others. Those counts describe enrollment; they do not, by themselves, establish any student's experience of belonging or support.

How does student life look like at Bridgewater State University?

Everyday life at Bridgewater State is shaped by both residential and commuting students. About 40% of students are reported to live on campus, while about 59% commute, so opportunities to meet peers extend beyond residence halls into classes, student activities, and shared campus spaces.

The university offers student programming as well as health and personal counseling services. First-year students can look to orientation and academic advising to learn how to navigate course planning and campus resources; commuters may need to plan around travel time and evening events. Reported campus media include a student newspaper, radio station, and television station, giving interested students ways to practice reporting and production outside class.

What libraries are available to students at Bridgewater State University?

The Clement C. Maxwell Library is Bridgewater State University's main campus library. It provides a place for individual and group study as well as access to research materials and academic support.

Students can use library research assistance, online databases and journals, and study rooms that may be reserved. Interlibrary borrowing can help when a needed item is not held locally. Access rules for digital resources may differ on and off campus, and hours can change during exams or breaks. Students should not assume the building has a 24-hour study area; none is reported as regularly available.

Bridgewater State University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

9727

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1709

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

340 full time, 446 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Bridgewater State University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 8,270
Graduate: 1,457

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 7,130
Part-time: 2,597

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 926
Men: 783

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 1,060
Black or African American: 920
White: 5,324
American Indian or Alaska Native: 6
Asian: 191
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 3
Two or more races: 650
Unknown: 48

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Bridgewater State University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

MenMen–

Basketball

BothBoth–

Cheerleading

Women––

Cross-country running

BothBoth–

Equestrian sports

WomenWomen–

Field hockey

WomenWomen–

Football

MenMen–

Golf

Men––

Gymnastics

Both––

Ice hockey

Both––

Indoor track

Both––

Lacrosse

WomenWomen–

Rugby

Both––

Soccer

BothBoth–

Softball

WomenWomen–

Swimming and diving

BothBoth–

Tennis

BothBoth–

Track and field

BothBoth–

Ultimate Frisbee

Both––

Volleyball

WomenWomen–

Wrestling

MenMen–

Data 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.

Recently Published Articles