Bridgewater College
- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,453 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,800 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 92% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 18.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $18.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,222,648.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 31% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Bridgewater College Matters
Bridgewater College is a private liberal arts college in Bridgewater, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,400
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 58
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences
Why students choose Bridgewater College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 92% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1020–1360. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,800 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,453 ten years after enrolling — 31% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 78% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 92%, Bridgewater College is a welcoming option for students seeking a supportive environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in pursuing degrees in Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, or Psychology. The smaller enrollment of around 1,400 allows for more personalized attention, which can be a significant advantage for students looking to thrive academically and socially.
Graduates from Bridgewater can expect to earn an average of $53,453 a decade after finishing their studies. While the graduation rate sits at 51%, it’s essential to consider that many students here are taking the time they need to complete their degrees. Affordability is a critical factor, with a net price of $17,800 after aid, making it accessible for a broad range of students. This is particularly relevant for the 30% of students who rely on Pell Grants, indicating that financial support is available for those who need it.
In terms of practicalities, the median debt for graduates stands at $26,000, which is manageable for many, especially considering the earning potential. Bridgewater tends to attract students who value a close-knit community and a variety of academic pathways. Those who thrive here are often those who appreciate a more intimate learning environment and are looking to engage deeply with their studies and peers.
Rankings
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Virginia
- #18 Best Bachelor's Programs in Virginia
- #18 Best Master's Programs in Virginia
- #19 Best Computer Science Colleges in Virginia
- #19 Best Business Colleges in Virginia
- #19 Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
- #21 Best Colleges in Virginia
- #21 Best Biology Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Bridgewater College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bridgewater College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bridgewater, Virginia, Bridgewater College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,180. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 92%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- SAT Average
- 1180
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1020–1360
- Full-Time Faculty
- 70%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,326
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 3,402
- Admitted
- 3,074
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bridgewater College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bridgewater College is $16,090, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,800. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,283 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $16,090
- Out-of-State
- $16,090
- Avg Net Price
- $17,800
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 60%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,283
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,468
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,046
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,448
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bridgewater College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bridgewater College earn a median of $53,453, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,620
- 8 Years
- $50,239
- 10 Years
- $53,453
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (278)
- 57%
- 100% (278)
- 57%
- 100% (278)
- 57%
- 100% (278)
- 57%
How Bridgewater Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bridgewater College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bridgewater College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,800/year ($71,200 total). Graduates earn $53,453 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,293,848 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,222,648 (18.2× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $71,200
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,293,848
- Net Return
- $1,222,648
- ROI Multiple
- 18.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,800
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bridgewater College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bridgewater College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.98%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $91,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,250,923
- Investment Income
- $-18,600,520
Top Programs
The fields Bridgewater College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Visual & Performing Arts 8%
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Social Sciences 7%
- Psychology 6%
- Humanities 6%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Communications 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bridgewater College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bridgewater College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bridgewater, Virginia, Bridgewater College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,180. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bridgewater College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bridgewater College is $16,090, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,800. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,283 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Bridgewater College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bridgewater College earn a median of $53,453, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Bridgewater College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bridgewater College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bridgewater College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bridgewater College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bridgewater College.
- Concordia University-ChicagoRiver Forest, IL · Close peer41% grad $54,089 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Montana Technological UniversityButte, MT · Close peer58% grad $54,329 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,382 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Saint Francis-Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Close peer58% grad $55,362 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Hardin-Simmons UniversityAbilene, TX · Close peer48% grad $54,771 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of DubuqueDubuque, IA · Close peer41% grad $51,190 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bridgewater College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bridgewater College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note