Bridgewater State University vs Smith College: which has better ROI?
Smith College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $110,316 in 7 years versus 7.2 years at Bridgewater State University, on median earnings of $64,027 vs $57,466 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bridgewater State University | Smith College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,383 | $27,579 |
| Total net cost | $65,532 | $110,316 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,466 | $64,027 |
| Median debt | $24,286 | $17,550 |
| Payback | 7.2 yrs | 7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $116,588 | $203,024 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bridgewater State University or Smith College?
Bridgewater State University, at $16,383 a year after aid versus $27,579 — a gap of $11,196 a year, or $44,784 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bridgewater State University or Smith College graduates earn more?
Smith College graduates report a median $64,027 ten years after entry, $6,561 more than the $57,466 at Bridgewater State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Bridgewater State University or Smith College?
Smith College: its completers carry a median $17,550 in federal loans versus $24,286 at Bridgewater State University, a difference of $6,736. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at Smith College, against 53% at Bridgewater State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.