Students at Bridgewater College benefit from a debt management track record that shows graduates successfully handle their financial obligations, with no federal loan defaults reported.
The college combines reasonable private college pricing with a close-knit academic community that emphasizes personal attention and student support.
Bridgewater College is a small private nonprofit institution in Virginia that provides a traditional liberal arts education with moderate financial outcomes. While the college doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for earnings or affordability, it offers a balanced approach that serves students seeking personal attention in a close-knit academic community. Graduates earn a median of $53,453 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the middle of the national distribution for long-term earnings.
The college serves a moderately diverse student body, with about 29% receiving Pell Grants and 32% being first-generation college students. As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Bridgewater provides reasonable access while working to support student success, though outcomes for low-income students show room for improvement. The institution's small size allows for personalized education, but this also means fewer program options and a more limited alumni network compared to larger universities.
For families considering private college options in Virginia, Bridgewater offers net prices that are more manageable than many private institutions, particularly for low-income students who pay around $14,410 annually. The college's focus on undergraduate education and its rural Virginia setting appeal to students who prefer smaller academic communities over large research universities.
Bridgewater College's program portfolio reflects a practical liberal arts approach that prepares students for stable career paths in business, health and wellness, and human services. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program with 76 graduates and the strongest economic performer, with early-career earnings around $38,559 that provide solid foundations for professional advancement. This program combines broad business fundamentals with the personal attention possible at a small college.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology attracts 50 students annually and leads to careers in fitness, health promotion, and wellness services, with early earnings around $31,042. Psychology, with 30 graduates, provides foundational preparation for various career paths including human services, education, and graduate school preparation, showing early earnings around $30,771. These programs reflect the college's emphasis on fields that serve community needs and provide meaningful work, though earnings levels are moderate compared to more technical or specialized programs.
The college's small scale means fewer total graduates in each field, which can limit alumni networking opportunities but allows for more individualized faculty mentorship and career guidance. Students in these programs benefit from close relationships with professors and hands-on learning opportunities, though they may need to be more proactive about building professional networks and seeking career advancement opportunities after graduation to maximize their earning potential over time.
Bridgewater College graduates achieve moderate long-term earnings that reflect the institution's focus on liberal arts education and smaller program scale. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $53,453, which places the college around the middle of national outcomes for similar institutions. While these earnings are solid for a small private college, they fall somewhat below what similar students achieve at other institutions, suggesting that graduates may need to work harder to reach comparable financial outcomes.
The college's program mix centers on practical fields that provide steady career foundations. Business Administration and Management is the standout program, combining the largest enrollment with 76 graduates and reasonable earnings outcomes around $38,559 early in careers. Exercise Science and Kinesiology attracts 50 students annually and leads to careers in fitness, health, and wellness with early earnings around $31,042. Psychology, with 30 graduates, provides foundational preparation for various career paths with early earnings around $30,771.
These programs reflect Bridgewater's emphasis on professional preparation within a liberal arts framework. While the earnings levels are moderate compared to STEM-focused institutions, they provide solid foundations for careers in business, health and wellness, and human services. The college's small scale means fewer total graduates in each field, which can limit alumni networking opportunities but may provide more individualized career guidance and faculty mentorship during the college years.
Bridgewater College offers more accessible pricing than many private institutions, particularly for students from lower-income families. Low-income students pay a net price of about $14,410 annually, which represents significant financial aid support and places the college well below typical private college costs. Middle-income families see net prices around $21,102, while higher-income families pay approximately $21,465, showing relatively consistent pricing across income levels that makes financial planning more predictable.
Debt levels at Bridgewater are manageable but require careful consideration given the moderate earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with about $26,000 in federal student loan debt, which is reasonable for a private college but represents a meaningful financial commitment. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,837, reflecting the reality that many families need additional support beyond federal student loans to cover college costs. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully.
The combination of moderate net prices and reasonable debt levels makes Bridgewater accessible to middle-class families who want private college benefits without the premium pricing of more selective institutions. However, families should carefully consider the debt-to-earnings ratio, as graduates' median income of $53,453 means loan payments will represent a meaningful portion of post-graduation budgets, particularly in the early career years when earnings are typically lower.
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