Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Bridgewater State University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Bridgewater, MA · 7,829 students

The verdict

Bridgewater State University charges a net price of $16,383/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $65,532. Graduates earn a median $57,466 ten years after entry, $9,106/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.2 years — a 20-year net return of $116,588, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share

Bridgewater State University's 7.2-year payback ranks #630 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 51% of them, and #37 of 85 in Massachusetts.

Better ROI than 51% of US colleges#630 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$16,383
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$57,466
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
7.2 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
88%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Bridgewater State University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$16,383/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$65,532our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$57,466Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$9,106/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$24,286Scorecard, 2026
Payback7.2 yrsour math
20-year net return$116,588our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Bridgewater State University's own numbers. Net price $16,383 × 4 years = $65,532 total. Median earnings $57,466 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,106 a year of premium. $65,532 ÷ $9,106 = 7.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $116,588. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Bridgewater State University students graduate with?

A median $24,286 in federal loans among completers, or 42% of the $57,466 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Bridgewater State University students graduate?

53% finish their degree — 47% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $65,532 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $123,645 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Bridgewater State University expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?

Its $16,383 net price runs $8,500 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $34,000 less across the full degree.

Bridgewater State University: frequently asked questions

Is Bridgewater State University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Bridgewater State University charges $16,383/yr after aid ($65,532 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $57,466 ten years out — $9,106/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 7.2 years and returns $116,588 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Bridgewater State University degree take to pay off?
About 7.2 years. We divide the $65,532 four-year net cost by the $9,106/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Bridgewater State University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $16,383/yr — about $65,532 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Bridgewater State University compare to other Massachusetts colleges?
It ranks #37 of 85 Massachusetts colleges we track by payback. Its $57,466 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $16,383 net price is below the national median of $16,902.