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Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA·Private nonprofit·1,388 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.

91%
Accept
1,388
Students
$20,173
Net Price
49%
Grad Rate
$46,600
Earnings
10 yr
$17,500
Debt

About This School

Bridgewater College is a private nonprofit institution located in Bridgewater, Virginia with approximately 1,388 undergraduate students enrolled. Bridgewater College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 91%. The average net price after financial aid is $20,173 per year. The graduation rate is 49%, and the typical graduate earns $46,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Bridgewater College is a private liberal-arts college in Bridgewater, Virginia. Established in 1880, Bridgewater College admitted both men and women from the time of its founding and was the first four-year liberal arts college in Virginia to do so. Approximately 1,800 students are enrolled.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of $20,173/year and low median debt of $17,500 are genuinely appealing, but a 49% graduation rate means roughly half of students who start here don't finish — that's a real concern worth asking about on a campus visit. Median earnings of $46,600 a decade out are modest but manageable given the debt load. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, close-knit liberal arts environment in the Shenandoah Valley and have a clear plan for staying on track to graduation.

Setting
Small suburb

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing22%
Psychology10%
Biological Sciences9%
Visual & Performing Arts9%
Social Sciences5%
English5%
Computer Science3%
Physical Sciences3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1225
Reading 75th %ile660
Math 75th %ile715

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite25

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$41,350
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,350
Avg Net Price
$20,173
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants29%
Median debt at graduation$17,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
49%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
77%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$46,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$34,900
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$46,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.7x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White67%
Black12%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,388 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Bridgewater College

402 E College St

Bridgewater, VA 22812-1599

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Virginia

Browse all Virginia schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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