Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, MA

publicgraduate

Find Scholarships Here

Quick Facts

7,899

Total Students

$11K

Tuition (In-State)

$18K

Tuition (Out-State)

$18K

Avg Net Price

89%

Acceptance Rate

55%

Graduation Rate

6-year

77%

Retention Rate

Master's Colleges & Universities

Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater State: A pioneering public university, shaping educators since 1840.

Step into history at Bridgewater State University, Massachusetts' oldest permanently-located institution of public higher education. Founded in 1840 by the visionary Horace Mann, it began as Bridgewater Normal School, a national pioneer dedicated to training teachers. From its humble start in a town hall basement with just 28 students, Bridgewater State quickly established a professional standard for teacher preparation, even constructing America's first dedicated building for this purpose.

Over the decades, Bridgewater State evolved far beyond its foundational mission. While Education remains its most popular major, reflecting its deep roots, the university introduced a robust liberal arts curriculum in the 1960s, broadening its academic scope significantly. This expansion fueled remarkable growth, with enrollment quadrupling and faculty tripling between 1970 and 1990, transforming the campus and enriching the student experience with new facilities and diverse academic opportunities.

Today, Bridgewater State University stands as a comprehensive institution with a vibrant campus community. The move to university status in 2010 marked a new era, boosting its profile and attracting a wider array of students. Prospective students and families will find a rich blend of tradition and forward-thinking academics, offering a wide range of programs through its dedicated schools like the School of Education and Allied Studies and the School of Arts and Sciences, all built upon a legacy of educational innovation.

Key Highlights

✦Founded in 1840 by Horace Mann as one of the nation's first normal schools.
✦Massachusetts' oldest permanently-located institution of public higher education.
✦Home to the first building ever erected in America specifically for teacher preparation (dedicated 1846).
✦Officially transitioned to Bridgewater State University status in 2010.
✦Education remains the most popular major, upholding its founding mission.
✦Experienced significant growth, with enrollment quadrupling from 1970 to 1990.
✦Introduced a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum in the 1960s.

Timeline

1840

Founded by Horace Mann as Bridgewater Normal School, opening on September 9th.

1845

Commonwealth of Massachusetts agreed to construct the first building for teacher preparation.

1846

The first dedicated building for teacher preparation was dedicated on August 19th.

1924

Tillinghast Hall, Woodward Hall, and Normal Hall were severely damaged in a fire.

1957

The John J. Kelly Gym was built.

1959

SAT scores were required for admission for the first time.

1960

Pope Hall was built as an all-women's dorm; Scott Hall followed in 1961 as an all-men's dorm.

1971

The Clement C. Maxwell Library was completed.

1992

Established the School of Education and Allied Studies and the School of Arts and Sciences.

2010

Became Bridgewater State University by legislative act, signed into law on July 28th.

Schools & Colleges

2 notable schools within Bridgewater State University

📚

School of Education and Allied Studies

Established in 1992 to focus on education and related fields, building on the university's foundational mission.

🎭

School of Arts and Sciences

Established in 1992, offering a broad range of liberal arts and science programs to a diverse student body.

Find Scholarships at Bridgewater State University

Start Your Free Search