Bridgewater, VA · Private University
Is Bridgewater College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$53,453
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$41,350
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,350
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$165,400
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.29x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
49.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,173
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Bridgewater College graduates earn $8,453 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Bridgewater College ranked by graduate earnings
18 graduates
114 graduates
46 graduates
18 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Bridgewater College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Bridgewater College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $58,440) and the lowest (Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General: $24,700) is $33,740/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $58,440 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,990 | 1.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $48,591 | 1.2x |
| History | $46,821 | 1.1x |
| Management Information Systems and Services(1yr data) | $44,418 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,891 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $42,648 | 1.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $38,838 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $38,111 | 0.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,099 | 0.9x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralLowest | $24,700 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Bridgewater College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $53,453 10 years after starting, $8,453 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9 years, a reasonable timeline.
Ready to apply to Bridgewater College?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.