Students posing for a selfie during spring fest with McKinney Hall in the background surrounded by other students
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Bridgewater Facts

Get to know BC

Coeducational since its founding in 1880, Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Today, Bridgewater College is home to approximately 1,450 students. We’ve designed the Bridgewater experience as a network of connections to big ideas, great mentors, inspiring classmates and professional experiences.

Student writing on white board wall

Academics

Academics at BC will help you expand the way you think and connect what you’re studying in one class to the lessons you’re learning in another. You’ll collaborate in new ways, too, which makes group work here thought-provoking and energizing.

 60+
majors and minors
 4  
graduate programs
 10 
pre-professional programs
 50+
countries for study abroad
Student holding Bridgewater College diploma and smiling

Accreditation

Bridgewater College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the baccalaureate and master’s level.

Bridgewater College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the baccalaureate and master’s level. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Bridgewater College. To file a complaint, please fill out the Complaint Form (.pdf) in its entirety and submit it to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at the address above. Please contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 404-679-4500 if you have any questions about the complaint procedure. Bridgewater College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), located at 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3184. Bridgewater College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), located at 1140 19th St, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036. 

Bridgewater College is accredited by the State Board of Education of Virginia and offers a state-approved program of teacher education. For questions about the accreditation of Bridgewater College by the Commonwealth of Virginia, contact the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia at 101 North 14th Street, 10th Floor, James Monroe Building, Richmond, VA 23219, or call (804) 225-2600. 

In accordance with Virginia law, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is responsible for investigating all written and signed student complaints against postsecondary educational institutions operating in Virginia, including Bridgewater College. To file a formal complaint, fill out the Student Complaint Form in its entirety and submit it electronically to SCHEV. Please contact SCHEV at (804) 371-2285 if you have any questions about the student complaint procedure. 

Bridgewater College is a member of the American Council on Education, the Association of Virginia Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. 

Four students collaborating together

Students

At Bridgewater College, the student body is a diverse and vibrant community of individuals who are passionate about their education, personal growth and building a community. Students come from various backgrounds, cultures, and regions, creating a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives on campus.

  • BC students are from 27 states and 19 countries
  • Pursue their passions by participating in more than 60 clubs and organizations
 1,450 
full-time students
as of fall 2023
 19 
countries represented
 27 
states
 60+
clubs & organizations
Student wearing B-C shirt clapping and smiling

Entering Class Profile

Learn more information about the entering classes like enrollment numbers, financial aid, men vs. women, academic scholarships, most popular majors, diversity and academic profile.

Year Entered 2021 2022 2023
Enrollment 398 422 429
Men 184-46% 229-54% 223-54%
Women 214-54% 193-46% 190-44%
Other 6-1%
Academic scholarships 283-71% 303-72% 318-74%
Receiving financial aid * 398-100% 422-100% 428-100%
Receiving Institutional Aid 393-99% 422-100% 426-99%
Most popular majors
Business Administration 82-20% 79-18% 105-24%
Health and Exercise Science 62-15% 78-18% 58-13%
Psychology 32-8% 30-7% 31-7%
Biology 51-13% 46-11% 30-7%
Engineering N/A N/A 26-6%
Affiliated with the Church of the Brethren 17-4% 9-2% 8-2%
Virginia resident 289-74% 308-73% 294-69%
Diversity
Black/African American 46-12% 50-12% 58-14%
Other Minority 65-16% 64-15% 61-15%
International 8-2% 12-3% 26-6%
Average age 18 18 18
Academic profile
Mean SAT 1148 1129 1200
Mean high school GPA 3.61 3.65 3.63
From top 20% of high school class 31% 33% 32%
*federal, state, institutional, or outside aid
**the College became test-optional in April 2021
A group of students who participated in the Holi Festival of Colors

Common Data Set

The common data set (CDS) is a collaborative effort between publishers and the higher education community to develop a standard set of questions and data definitions. The purpose of the CDS is to improve the accuracy and consistency of information.

Athletics

Nearly 30% of BC students participate in intercollegiate sports.

 23 
NCAA DIII teams
 24  
conference championships
over the last decade
 10  
national titles
over the last decade

Financial Aid

We know a college education is an investment. So we’ll work with you to make your education affordable.

  • More than $47.3 million in scholarships and aid was awarded by BC in 2022-2023
  • 100% of BC students receive some type of financial aid

Location

Situated just south of Harrisonburg and within close proximity to major cities like Richmond and Washington D.C., Bridgewater College offers the best of both worlds—a serene campus environment surrounded by natural beauty, while still being easily accessible to urban centers.

 45 min
Charlottesville, Va.
 2 hrs
Frederick, Md.
 2.25 hrs
Washington, D.C.
 2 hrs
Richmond