Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 53.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.4%
- Retention Rate
- 77.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $53,453
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 75.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $25,781 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,559 | $26,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $27,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $32,467 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $31,042 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $26,000 |
| Physics. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $27,000 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $23,649 | $26,500 |
Outcomes Overview
Bridgewater graduates face a challenging financial reality after college. The median debt of $26,000 creates monthly payments of $276, consuming about 6.2% of typical graduate income. With median earnings of $53,453 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at a concerning 0.49. This exceeds the recommended 0.3 threshold financial advisors suggest. The college's Church of the Brethren heritage traditionally steers graduates toward service-oriented careers in education, social work, and nonprofit sectors. These fields often offer meaningful work but lower starting salaries. The 96.1% employment rate shows graduates find jobs, but the financial math reveals challenges. Overall, Bridgewater offers a weak return on investment.