Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Bridgewater, Virginia |
| Online | bridgewater.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Small Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Church of Brethren |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus 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
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
BC is rated within the lower 49% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bridgewater College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#603 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#408 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#20 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#9 in Best Private Colleges in Virginia
#66 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1070/1375 |
| ACT | 28/29 |
| GPA | 3.61 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | May 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $905 |
| Other Fees | $1,050 |
| Room and Board | $14,370 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,420 |
| Total One Year Cost | $60,045 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 17% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 13% |
| Biology | 9% |
| Work and Family Studies | 8% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering BC are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=231581 IPEDS survey data for Bridgewater College.
Current students may use the Bridgewater College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025