Bridgewater College
Bridgewater College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bridgewater College at a Glance
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.
1880
146 years old
$106M
$106.3 million (2025)
1,448
1,407 undergrad · 41 grad
94
Identity
Is Bridgewater College Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Bridgewater College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,453 — 1% below average — while paying $17,800/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Bridgewater College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Bridgewater College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in VA
Ranked #36 of 137 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #36 | Bridgewater College | 39 | $17,800 | $53,453 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bridgewater College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in VA.
Best Programs at Bridgewater College
The highest-earning program at Bridgewater College is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $40,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate from Bridgewater College earns $40,900, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates carry $26,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,800/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,900 | $40,900 | $26,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,300 | $35,300 | $25,500 |
| Psychology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $26,335 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,600 | $29,600 | $27,000 |
| History | $28,100 | $28,100 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,100 | $27,100 | $26,949 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bridgewater, VA
- Student Body
- 1,400 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,800
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,453
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000