Get to know BC
Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded in 1880, it was the state’s first private, coeducational college. 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.
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.
- Average number of students per undergraduate class – 19
- 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Most popular majors at BC: Business Administration, Health and Exercise Science, Biology, Psychology and Liberal Studies (normally accompanies pursuit of elementary education licensure)
majors and minors
graduate programs
pre-professional programs
countries for study abroad
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 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.
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
full-time students
as of fall 2022
countries represented
states
clubs & organizations
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 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | 420 | 398 | 422 |
| Men | 218 – 52% | 184-46% | 229-54% |
| Women | 202 – 48% | 214 – 54% | 193 – 46% |
| Academic scholarships | 267 – 64% | 283-71% | 303-72% |
| Receiving financial aid * | 420 – 100% | 398-100% | 422-100% |
| Receiving Institutional Aid | 415 – 99% | 393-99% | 422-100% |
| Most popular majors | |||
| Business Administration | 72 – 17% | 82-20% | 79-18% |
| Health and Exercise Science | 69 – 16% | 62-15% | 78-18% |
| Biology | 44 – 10% | 51-13% | 46-11% |
| Psychology | 39 – 9% | 32-8% | 30-7% |
| Liberal Studies | 22-5% | 29-7% | |
| Computer Science | 29-7% | 16-4% | |
| Affiliated with the Church of the Brethren | 13-3% | 17-4% | 9-2% |
| Virginia resident | 307 – 73% | 289-74% | 308-73% |
| Diversity | |||
| Black/African American | 73 – 17% | 46-12% | 50-12% |
| Other Minority | 69 – 16% | 65-16% | 64-15% |
| International | 2 – 0.5% | 8-2% | 12-3% |
| Average age | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Academic profile | |||
| Mean SAT | 1076 | 1148 | 1129 |
| Mean high school GPA | 3.56 | 3.61 | 3.65 |
| From top 20% of high school class | 32% | 31% | 33% |
| *federal, state, institutional, or outside aid | |||
| ** the College became test-optional in April 2021 | |||
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 accuracy and consistency of information.
| Title | Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Information | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Enrollment and Persistence | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| First Year Admission | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Transfer Admission | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Academic Offerings and Policies | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Student Life | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Annual Expenses | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Financial Aid | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Instructional Faculty and Class Size | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
| Degrees Conferred | 2022 (.pdf) | 2021 (.pdf) | 2020 (.pdf) | 2019 (.pdf) | 2018 (.pdf) |
Athletics
Nearly 30% of BC students participate in intercollegiate sports.
- 23 intercollegiate teams in the NCAA Division III
- Mascot: Eagles
- Colors: Crimson and Gold
- Members of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC)
- Also at BC: intercollegiate equestrian program, cheerleading, the Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band and esports
NCAA DIII teams
conference championships
over the last decade
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
- 99% 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.
- Located in the town of Bridgewater, Virginia
- 8 minutes from the city of Harrisonburg
Charlottesville, Va.
Frederick, Md.
Washington, D.C.
Richmond
