Bridgewater College

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Bridgewater, VA
  • 0 reviews
#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

Overview

Total enrollment

1,448
Bridgewater College overview
Bridgewater College overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad

Bridgewater College occupies a 300-acre campus in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, situated approximately 15 miles south of Harrisonburg and two hours from Washington, D.C. Founded in 1880 by the Church of the Brethren, this private liberal arts institution maintains historic brick buildings alongside modern academic facilities in a small-town setting. The college offers undergraduate programs across more than 60 majors and minors, with notable strengths in business administration, biology, and education. Bridgewater operates as a primarily residential college where most students live on campus in traditional dormitories or apartment-style housing. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Eagles, participating in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

Ratings

BC is rated within the lower 47% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    7 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    10 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult
Bridgewater College admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1020/1360
  • GPA 3.61

Acceptance Rate

91.7%
Bridgewater College applications overview
  • Applications Due May 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 10.1%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$16,090
Costs for Bridgewater College
Fee Cost
Tuition $16,090
Books and Supplies $1,005
Other Fees $1,090
Room and Board $14,850
Budget for Other Expenses $3,578
Total One Year Cost $36,613

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$43,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

59% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Bridgewater College are Business, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies, and Biology. 17% of students major in Business, 13% in Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies, and 9% in Biology.

  • Business 17%
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 13%
  • Biology 9%
  • Work and Family Studies 8%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Bridgewater College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=231581.

GPA calculator: Bridgewater College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026