Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Bridgewater College #1219 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,971 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 32.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Bridgewater College sits in the 30.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Bridgewater College's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's pillars, with particular strength in return on investment. Graduates achieve earnings that outperform expectations relative to comparable institutions, supported by the college's business-focused program mix.
Azimuth ranks Bridgewater College #1219 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Bridgewater, Virginia, Bridgewater College enrolls roughly 1,400 undergraduates. Retention is 75.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 53.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Where Bridgewater College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Bridgewater College #1057 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,722, and they earn about $5,971 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Bridgewater College in the 32.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — its dominant field — aligns well with regional labor-market demand and contributes to solid early-career financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Bridgewater College sits in the 13.4 percentile for access and the 44.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 29.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.0% are first-generation college students, reflecting a selective admissions posture that limits the breadth of low-income enrollment. Mobility outcomes sit in the 35.9 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution serves a more economically advantaged student population than many peers.
Bridgewater College's published cost of attendance is $58,702. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $13,283, middle-income families pay around $15,046, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,448. Azimuth ranks Bridgewater College #789 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Bridgewater College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA to determine eligibility for institutional grants and federal aid programs. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need for admitted students, though the depth of that aid varies by income level. For families evaluating affordability, the net-price figures above provide a clearer picture than sticker price alone — understanding the difference between published cost and what families actually pay is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $37,735; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,722, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Bridgewater College is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a small private college experience in VA. The college's program mix and size create a focused academic environment with strong student-faculty interaction. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,722, placing Bridgewater College in the 30.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $5,971 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 32.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college serves a mix of traditional and first-generation students — 32.0% of undergraduates are first-generation — with a published net price of $21,448 for higher-income families. The admission rate of 91.7% makes the application process moderately selective. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix leans toward Business (19% of degrees), and the small size means fewer program options than larger universities. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to VA's no-degree baseline of $34,020.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Bridgewater College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Bridgewater College's published cost of attendance is $58,702. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $13,283, middle-income families pay around $15,046, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,448.
Azimuth ranks Bridgewater College #789 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Bridgewater College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA to determine eligibility for institutional grants and federal aid programs. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need for admitted students, though the depth of that aid varies by income level.
For families evaluating affordability, the net-price figures above provide a clearer picture than sticker price alone — [understanding the difference between published cost and what families actually pay](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $37,735; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,722, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Bridgewater College earn median 4-year earnings of $55,722, placing Bridgewater College in the 30.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,971 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Bridgewater College in the 32.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Bridgewater College #1057 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Bridgewater College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 60 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $61,276, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Kinesiology program graduates 49 students earning $55,288, while Biology, General and Psychology, General round out the top programs with 28 and 24 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor the institution's return profile, with Business representing the dominant academic focus and driving consistent outcomes across the student body.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The College Of Idaho Similar quality tier (#32777 ranked) | ID | 49% | $48,473 | #32777 | Compare |
Illinois College Similar quality tier (#32778 ranked) | IL | 78% | $52,575 | #32778 | Compare |
Florida Southern College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32779 ranked) | FL | 64% | $55,294 | #32779 | Compare |
Livingstone College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32768 ranked) | NC | 59% | $32,600 | #32768 | Compare |
Southwestern University Similar quality tier (#32766 ranked) | TX | 43% | $56,878 | #32766 | Compare |
Computer Science
7 graduates
Political Science and Government
8 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
60 graduates
Biology, General
28 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
49 graduates
Bridgewater College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's focus on career-ready undergraduate education. Business Administration is the largest program with 60 graduates, followed by Kinesiology, Biology, General, Psychology, General, and General Studies.
Across 0 ranked programs, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional and national labor markets. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied business and professional pathways.
Business Administration leads with median 4-year earnings of $61,276 among 60 graduates, followed by Biology, General at $58,732, Kinesiology at $55,288, Communication and Media Studies at $53,615, and General Studies at $51,160. These outcomes cluster in the mid-range for comparable programs at similar institutions, reflecting steady career pathways rather than outlier earnings concentration.
The institution's program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways in business, education, and professional services — fields where graduates enter the labor market immediately and earnings reflect regional employment demand. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Bridgewater College's dominant program families align with current labor-market conditions and wage trends in the Mid-Atlantic region.
