Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater, VA
Discover Bridgewater College
At Bridgewater College, you are not just a number: you are a valued member of a vibrant community. Small classes and a low student-faculty ratio help you make personal connections with your professors and receive the attention that will help you thrive academically and personally.
Academic excellence
The student experience at Bridgewater is shaped and defined by connections—between students, faculty, alumni, and community members—and with new ideas and the wider world. Whether through undergraduate research, real-world internships and practicums, presentations at professional conferences, or independent study, you’ll find that academic life at Bridgewater is broad and invigorating.
May Term classes offer opportunities to explore special topics in the classroom or travel to destinations such as South Africa, Europe, and Los Angeles and connect your studies to real-world issues. Many students choose to study abroad for a semester in countries such as Argentina, France, Germany, Ghana, Morocco, Spain, Thailand, Uruguay, and many more through the College’s study abroad programs.
Bridgewater students build connections with faculty mentors, develop the critical-thinking skills central to a liberal arts education, and go out into the community for hands-on experience. Whether you go on to graduate school or immediately begin a career, Bridgewater’s emphasis on personal development, reflective analysis, global awareness, and proficiency in your chosen field provide a solid foundation for personal and professional success after college.
Community
As a residential college, Bridgewater offers everything from traditional dorms to apartment-style residences for upperclassmen. And with the Campus Engagement and Activity Team—the student-led entertainment programming board—leading the way, it’s easy to get involved. Join the BC Voice (the student media organization), student government, theatre productions, music ensembles, spiritual life groups, political affiliations, professional organizations, and honor societies; these are just some examples of the 60+ clubs and organizations on campus. In addition, anyone can play on the College’s intramural sports teams or take advantage of the College’s location in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia through outdoor activities. Whatever your passions and interests, you’ll have the freedom to pursue them and make lasting friendships along the way.
The Bridgewater experience
Experience Bridgewater for yourself. To schedule a visit, check on upcoming open houses, or apply for admission, please visit bridgewater.edu or call 800-759-8328.
Academics
• 55 majors and minors
• Four graduate programs
• 11 pre-professional programs
• Two dual-degree programs
• Teacher education and licensure
• BC is consistently named a “Best College in the Southeast” by The Princeton Review
• Choose from more than 50 countries for study abroad opportunities
Students
• Approximately 1,500 full-time students (undergraduate and graduate) as of fall 2021
• BC students are from 25 states and 25 countries
• Participate in more than 60 clubs and organizations
Faculty
• Average class size: 19
• All faculty teach in the classroom at BC
Financial Aid
• More than $41 million in scholarships and aid was awarded by BC in 2020-2021
• 99% of BC students receive some type of financial aid
Athletics
• Nearly 30% of BC students participate in intercollegiate sports
• Nickname: Eagles
• Colors: crimson and gold
• 23 intercollegiate teams
• NCAA Division III
• Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC)
Location
• Located in the town of Bridgewater, Virginia
• 8 minutes from the city of Harrisonburg
• 2 hours from Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va., metropolitan areas
“The unsung heroes in BC academic life are the professors. They care about all of their students and want to see them succeed.”
“I loved being part of Bridgewater’s Teacher Education Program because of the faculty’s commitment to the mission of training competent, caring, and highly qualified teachers. Classes involved extensive discussion and critical thinking regarding how to provide quality instruction for the diverse needs of students. Beginning early on in the program, Bridgewater allows its TEP candidates to experience the classroom firsthand through field experiences in local schools.”