At $20,173/yr net price, Bridgewater College graduates earn $53,453/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,453/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,173 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,692 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,453/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,453/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,410/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,132/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,102/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,317/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,465/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
49.4% of students at Bridgewater College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Bridgewater College sits in a mixed financial spot. You'll pay about $20,000 a year net and graduate with $26,000 in debt, but only 49% of students finish. That completion risk matters more than the sticker price, because debt without a degree is the worst outcome here.
The program earnings tell a discouraging story. Management Information Systems tops the list at $42,682, and no listed bachelor's program clears $43,000 in early-career pay. English lands at $39,369, Business Administration at $38,559, and Natural Resources Conservation at $37,208. These are low starting points against a $26,000 debt load. Business and MIS give you the safest return of the bunch, but even those don't put much daylight between your earnings and your borrowing.
The gap between program-level pay and the $53,453 median 10-year earnings suggests wages climb over time. That climb is the case for attending, but it's a bet, not a guarantee, and it depends on you finishing.
The net price tiers are close to flat above $30k. If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay around $14,000 a year, roughly $7,000 less than families over $110,000. But the middle and upper tiers all land near $21,000, so there's little price break as income rises past $48,000. Middle-income families carry nearly the full net price with no meaningful discount.
Bridgewater fits you if you're targeting business or information systems, plan to finish in four years, and value a small-college setting over maximum earnings. Look elsewhere if you need high starting pay to service loans quickly, or if the 49% grad rate and 77% retention rate signal you might not stay enrolled. The math only works if you graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bridgewater College worth the money?
Bridgewater College graduates earn a median of $53,453 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for four-year colleges. With a net price of $20,173 annually and typical debt of $26,000, the return on investment is modest compared to other Virginia schools.
What are the best paying majors at Bridgewater College?
Management Information Systems leads at $42,682 annually, followed by Liberal Arts at $41,565. Most other programs, including Business Administration at $38,559, produce earnings below $40,000 within ten years of graduation.
How much student debt do Bridgewater College graduates have?
The median debt for Bridgewater College graduates is $26,000. Given that most majors lead to starting salaries under $42,000, this debt level represents a significant portion of early career income.
What is Bridgewater College's graduation rate?
Bridgewater College has a 49% graduation rate, meaning roughly half of students who start there complete their degree. This low completion rate adds financial risk since students may accumulate debt without earning the degree needed for higher salaries.