Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Bridgewater, Virginia
90.8% Acceptance Rate
Bridgewater College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.8%Acceptance Rate
3.61Avg GPA
1225Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$56,195Annual Cost
$53,453Grad Salary
29.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.8%
Avg GPA
3.61
Avg SAT
1225
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1375
ACT Middle 50%
28–29
Need-Based Aid
29.4% receive Pell
Bridgewater College (VA) is a private, liberal arts college that emphasizes "engaging the mind, opening the heart." Admissions focus on academic performance and character, seeking students who are likely to participate in service and campus community life. A well-rounded record of academic and extracurricular success is a key marker.
Bridgewater College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Bridgewater College is inclusive by design. 90.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 90.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.16
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bridgewater College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Bridgewater College (Early Decision — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Decision
Early Decision
November 1
Decision by: December 1
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
BC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at BC is 3.61. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.31 and 3.61? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.81–4.01.BC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.21 – 3.40
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.20
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Equine Studies at Bridgewater is a minor (not a major), built around four core courses, typically paired with majors like business, biology, or pre-veterinary science.
- Following a 2020-2021 restructuring, competitive riding teams (NCEA Division III, IHSA, VHSA) now operate through off-campus partner facilities (Cedar Creek Stables, Clover Grove) rather than a single on-campus stable, with IHSA/VHSA club teams largely self-funded.
- Church of the Brethren Scholarship ($1,000) is available to first-year and transfer students who are denomination members; a separate $2,000 scholarship exists for out-of-state students ineligible for VTAG (up to $5,250 for VA residents in 2025-2026).
- President's Merit Award offers full tuition to no more than 10 resident first-year students annually, requiring a 3.5+ year-end GPA to renew.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at BC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Bridgewater College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Bridgewater College (BC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at BC. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into BC Without SAT or ACT?
BC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bridgewater College Average SAT Score: 1225
Admitted students at Bridgewater College average a 1225 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1225 — Slightly Competitive
A 1225 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1375 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Bridgewater College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1070? A retake is worth it at BC. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 628 | 540 | 715 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 530 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1225 | 1070 | 1375 |
A score under 1070 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1375+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Bridgewater College (BC) with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in BC's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Bridgewater College (BC) ACT Requirements
BC's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 24 | 28 |
| ACT English | 28 | 27 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 28 | 29 |
Can I get into Bridgewater College with a 29 ACT?
At 29, you're in the top quarter of BC's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, BC weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for BC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
BC's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Confirm Equine Studies is a minor, not a major, before building your list around it
Bridgewater doesn't offer an Equine Studies major or standalone degree - it's a 4-core-course minor typically paired with majors like business, biology, or pre-veterinary science. A student assuming this is a full equine degree program (as offered at some peer schools) should recalibrate expectations before applying specifically for this reason.
Verify the current riding facility structure before assuming a fully-funded varsity program
Following a 2020-2021 Strategic Resource Allocation restructuring, competitive riding teams (NCEA Division III, IHSA, VHSA) now operate through off-campus partner facilities (Cedar Creek Stables, Clover Grove) rather than a single on-campus stable, and IHSA/VHSA club teams are largely self-funded and student-run. Budget separately for lesson/board costs (roughly $1,540/semester for a lesson package) beyond tuition.
Apply for the Church of the Brethren Scholarship if affiliated
This $1,000 denomination-specific stipend is available to both first-year and transfer students who are Church of the Brethren members - a modest but real award worth applying for even alongside larger merit scholarships.
Apply for the targeted out-of-state scholarship if VTAG-ineligible
Bridgewater offers a specific $2,000 scholarship designed for out-of-state students who don't qualify for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) - a targeted award aimed precisely at that gap, not a generic out-of-state discount.
Expert Insight:
Marketing materials and some third-party sources describe Bridgewater's equestrian offerings as a hallmark program, but the college's own 2020 Strategic Resource Allocation process significantly restructured this offering. A student specifically seeking a fully on-campus, university-funded riding program should confirm the current facility arrangement directly with the Equestrian Club or Athletics Department rather than assuming the historical on-campus model still exists.
BC Profile
Full Name
Bridgewater College (BC)
City
Bridgewater
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
22812-1599
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a BC Degree Worth It?
Whether BC is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $65,500, and graduates see a 2.38% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from BC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $56,195/year at BC. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At BC, 29.4% receive a Pell Grant and 64.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming BC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a BC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, BC graduates report a median income of $53,453, about 32% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bridgewater College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Bridgewater College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Bridgewater College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
Degree Programs at BC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About BC Admissions
Bridgewater College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $53,453/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Bridgewater College runs high, at roughly $56,195+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
29.4% of Bridgewater College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Bridgewater College's acceptance rate is 90.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Bridgewater College students is 3.61, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.31 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Bridgewater College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.21 or below makes admission tougher at Bridgewater College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Bridgewater College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1225, and within the 1070–1375 range, keeps you competitive.
Bridgewater College's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision), with decisions out by December 1.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Bridgewater College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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