<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4> <ul><li>Acceptance rate is 9.2 percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>Accepts dual credit and advanced placement credit </li><li>Offers remedial services, academic/career counseling service, employment/placement and daycare for the children of current students </li><li>Located approximately 30 miles from Boston, MA and Providence, RI </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4> <ul><li>Total cost (including tuition and living expenses) is $4,593 higher than the national average for 4-year public schools </li><li>Graduation rate is 12 percentage points lower than the national average </li><li>Student-faculty ratio is 20:1, which is higher than the national average of 15:1 </li><li>Student debt following graduation is $3,259 higher than the national average </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingSchoolAnalysis">Ranking &amp; School Analysis</h3> <p>Since its founding in 1840, Bridgewater State University has grown to serve over 11,000 students and is currently the 8th-largest university in Massachusetts. BSU offers over 90 programs of study. Popular undergraduate programs include psychology, communications, criminal justice, business administration, history and elementary education. Graduate programs are offered in psychology, public administration, social work, education, criminal justice and computer science. Additionally, the Continuing and Distance Education Department provides evening and weekend degree programs and opportunities for online learning. </p> <p>In 2012, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that Bridgewater State University's acceptance rate is 73%, which is above the national average of 63.8%. Unfortunately, the NCES also states BSU's 4-year graduation rate was 28% for students who began their studies in 2006, which is below the national average of 40%. </p> <p>Students attending Bridgewater State University can expect higher-than-average tuition costs and student debt following graduation. According to the NCES, the total cost to attend BSU, including tuition, living expenses and fees, was $22,453 in the 2012-2013 year. In that same year, the national average total cost for 4-year, public universities was $17,860. The average debt incurred by graduates of the school in 2012 was $30,189, according to <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report.</i> This is higher than the average of $26,660. </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionsAndFinancialAidAtBridgewaterStateUniversity">Admissions and Financial Aid at Bridgewater State University</h2> <p>You must submit applications and ACT or SAT scores to the school to be considered for admittance. Transfer students must submit transcripts from any schools previously attended. Students applying to graduate programs must hold bachelor's degrees, have at minimum a 2.8 grade point average and submit three letters of recommendation, but some programs have additional requirements. Applications may be submitted online. Bridgewater State University requires that all incoming freshman have laptop computers. You may purchase your laptop through the school, which has a discount program, or on your own. </p> <p>You should apply for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid options include federal grants, state scholarships, state grants, waivers, loans and work-study programs. BSU's Financial Aid Office can assist you with applying for aid. BSU also offers merit and institutional scholarships that are awarded to students who meet the criteria. Scholarships range from $500 to covering all tuition expenses and fees. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Application &amp; Tuition Info</th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Regular School Application Deadline (2013)</i></td><td>Rolling*</td></tr> <tr><td><i> Financial Aid Priority Application Due (2013)</i></td><td>May 1*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Application Fee (2012)</i></td><td> $40*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Acceptance Rate </i></td><td>73%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2012-2013)</i></td><td>$22,453 for residents<br /> $28,593 for non-residents***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average First-Year Financial Aid Package (2012)</i></td><td>$9,388*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Percentage of Students with Need Met (2012)</i></td><td>7%****</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2012)</i></td><td>$30,189****</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i></td><td>5.8%***</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---LifeAtBridgewaterStateUniversity">Life at Bridgewater State University</h2> <p>Bridgewater State University is located on 270 acres and is just 28 miles from Boston. The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership can assist you in becoming involved with campus clubs, organizations and leadership programs at Bridgewater State. BSU is also home to the BSU Bears' athletic teams, which provides opportunities for both intramural and intercollegiate sports. </p> <p>There are more than 95 student organizations on campus. Cultural, academic and special interest clubs are just some of the clubs available to explore. BSU also offers the Greek Life experience with fraternities and sororities. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Student Life Info</th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Setting</i></td><td> Large suburb***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Population (2012)</i></td><td> 9,684 undergraduate<br /> 1,733 graduate students***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2012)</i></td><td>42% to 58%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Full-Time Students (2012)</i> </td><td>83%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of In-State Students (2011)</i></td><td> 96%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of International Students (2011)</i></td><td>0%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Retention Rate (2011-2012)</i></td><td>81%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Housing Available</i></td><td>Yes***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Students Living On Campus</i></td><td>29%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Number of Extracurricular Clubs</i></td><td> More than 95**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Number of Libraries</i></td><td>1**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Article sources: *College Board, **Bridgewater State University, ***NCES College Navigator, ****U.S. News and World Report.</i> </p> <h4 id="section---SchoolContactInformation">School Contact Information</h4> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admissions, 131 Summer St, Bridgewater, MA 02325 </li><li><i>Phone Number:</i> (508) 531-1237</li></ul>