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Bridgewater College

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA · Suburb · 1,400 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$17,800
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
51%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$53,453
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
92%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Located in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley, Bridgewater College is a private liberal arts institution known for fostering a supportive, community-centered environment with strong programs in business administration, biology, health and exercise science, and teacher education. The academic experience is distinguished by the interdisciplinary "Connections" core curriculum, which emphasizes ethical leadership, hands-on undergraduate research, and global study opportunities. Campus life is lively and close-knit, shaped by robust NCAA Division III athletics, dedicated service traditions, and the deeply personalized faculty mentorship that defines the student journey.

Wikipedia: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.

Location
Bridgewater, VA, 22812-1599 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
IAD · Dulles
90 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$16,090
Housing & food (on campus)$14,850
Books & supplies$1,005
Cost of attendance$40,188
Average net price$17,800
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$16,090
Housing & food (on campus)$14,850
Books & supplies$1,005
Cost of attendance$40,188
Average net price$17,800
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.bridgewater.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Bridgewater College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$17,800
Fees$1,160
Housing$15,830
Books & supplies$1,290
Personal expenses$1,950
Transportation$2,100
Total published by the school$40,188
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$13,283
$30–48k
$12,468
$48–75k
$15,046
$75–110k
$20,582
$110k+
$21,448
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
51%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
45%
Back for yr 2
75%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
60% graduated · 34% transferred · 6% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$45,620
10 yrs after entry$53,453
Debt
Median at graduation$26,000
Monthly payment$276
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$27k
90th percentile$33,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
92%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1180
R 550–680 · M 470–680
ACT midpoint
25
SAT middle 50%: 1020–1360
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Bridgewater College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 53%Women 47%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
30%
First-gen
32%
Family income
$71,045
Independent
4%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
66%
Hispanic
8%
Black
11%
Asian
2%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
4%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$45,620
After 10 yrs
$53,453
Business Administration, Management and Operations71
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness48
Psychology, General36
Biology, General25
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities23
History19
Computer Science13
English Language and Literature, General13
Visual and Performing Arts, General13
Natural Resources Conservation and Research10
Sociology9
Fine and Studio Arts9
Communication and Media Studies8
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies7
Political Science and Government7
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$103M
Full-time faculty
70%
Faculty salary
$7,326/mo
Teaching spend
$8,750
per student
Federal loans
60%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Bridgewater College is the right fit for you?

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