Bridgewater State University admits 89.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 out of 10 students who apply receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Open Access category, indicating minimal barriers to enrollment for students who meet basic admission requirements. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that Bridgewater State is somewhat more accessible than typical public institutions of similar size and mission. This level of accessibility means that most academically prepared students can expect admission, making the application process less competitive and stressful than at highly selective institutions. For prospective students, this admission rate indicates that academic preparation and program fit should be the primary considerations rather than concerns about admission competitiveness. Students should focus on whether Bridgewater State's academic offerings, campus environment, and post-graduation outcomes align with their educational and career objectives. The open admissions approach reflects the university's mission to provide accessible higher education to Massachusetts residents and students seeking affordable pathways to degree completion. This selectivity profile makes Bridgewater State particularly suitable for students who may not have access to highly selective institutions but are seeking quality education with proven employment outcomes.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Bridgewater State University typically score between 1040 and 1230 on the SAT, with a median of 1127. The middle 50% range shows SAT Math scores from 510 to 600 and SAT Verbal scores from 530 to 630, indicating solid academic preparation across both quantitative and verbal reasoning skills. ACT scores range from 18 to 27 with a median of 24, demonstrating consistent academic readiness measures across different standardized tests. These test scores rank at the 91st percentile for SAT and 92nd percentile for ACT compared to all institutions nationally, representing top-tier academic performance despite the university's open admissions approach. The peer median SAT score of 1090 means Bridgewater State students typically score 37 points higher than students at comparable institutions, indicating the university attracts academically stronger students than its accessibility might suggest. Students scoring within the 1040-1230 SAT range represent the middle 50% of enrolled students, meaning 25% score above 1230 and 25% score below 1040. Applicants with scores below 1040 are still admitted but represent a smaller portion of the student body. For prospective students, scoring within or above this range indicates strong academic competitiveness, while scores below suggest the need for additional academic preparation and support services. The combination of high test score performance with open admissions reflects an institution that maintains academic standards while remaining accessible to diverse student populations.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Bridgewater State University enrolls a diverse student body that reflects both accessibility and academic preparation. The university serves 30.3% Pell-eligible students, indicating significant enrollment of students from lower-income families who qualify for federal financial aid. First-generation students comprise 34.1% of the population, demonstrating the university's role in providing higher education access to families without prior college experience. Transfer students represent 33.6% of enrollment, showing substantial pathways for students beginning their education at community colleges or other institutions. This composition indicates that Bridgewater State successfully serves students from diverse economic and educational backgrounds while maintaining academic standards reflected in strong test score performance. The substantial Pell and first-generation enrollment suggests the university prioritizes educational access and provides support systems for students who may face additional challenges in college completion. For prospective students, these demographics indicate a campus environment where diverse backgrounds are common and institutional support exists for students navigating college as their family's first experience. Students from lower-income families should note the significant Pell-eligible population, while first-generation students can expect to find peers who share similar backgrounds and challenges. Transfer students should consider the substantial transfer population as evidence of institutional experience supporting students transitioning from other colleges.
Given Bridgewater State's 89% acceptance rate, admission is accessible for most academically prepared students, making backup options less critical than at selective institutions.
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Students who enroll at Bridgewater State University experience retention and completion rates that reflect both the challenges and successes of serving diverse populations. The retention rate of 76.9% means roughly 77 out of 100 freshmen return for their sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 73.2%. This above-peer retention indicates effective first-year support and student engagement programs. The six-year graduation rate of 54.6% compares to a peer median of 49.3%, showing above-average degree completion for institutions serving similar student populations. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 61.3%, which is actually 6.7 percentage points higher than the overall graduation rate. This positive Pell gap is notable and indicates particularly strong institutional support for lower-income students, suggesting that financial aid and support services effectively help these students persist through degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect institutional support systems designed to promote retention and graduation, particularly for students from underserved backgrounds. The higher Pell completion rate suggests that lower-income students may benefit from targeted support services, financial aid packaging, or other institutional programs that facilitate degree completion. Prospective students should view these completion metrics as indicators of an institution committed to student success across diverse populations, with particular effectiveness in supporting first-generation and lower-income students through graduation.
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