
402 East College Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812-1599, USA


Bridgewater College provides a comprehensive athletics program that competes in NCAA Division III, emphasizing both competitive spirit and academic balance. The college fields a variety of men's and women's sports teams, fostering opportunities for student-athletes to develop skills and engage in team dynamics while pursuing their studies.
Men's sports at Bridgewater include basketball, baseball, cross country, football, soccer, tennis, track and field, and lacrosse, offering a broad spectrum for athletic involvement. Women's sports feature basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball, supporting diverse athletic interests and promoting inclusiveness.
The athletics department supports student participation through well-maintained facilities and experienced coaching staff, aiming to enhance performance and personal growth. Beyond competition, the program encourages sportsmanship, leadership, and community engagement, which contribute to the overall college experience for athletes.
Bridgewater College offers a range of student groups and associations that aim to enrich campus life and foster community engagement. The college supports a diverse array of social, academic, and interest-based organizations. While specific details about the individual groups are not provided, the college's total student population includes 733 men and 649 women, reflecting a balanced community for student participation. These organizations provide opportunities for leadership, networking, and personal development, contributing to the overall collegiate experience.
Bridgewater College hosts a diverse student body that includes both freshmen and transfer students, with a total enrollment of approximately 470 students in these categories. Freshmen number around 429, while transfers are about 41, both figures placing the college in the bottom 40% nationally for these groups.
The age distribution highlights that the majority of undergraduates are between 18 and 21 years old, with 695 students aged 18 to 19 and 550 aged 20 to 21. There are fewer students in older age brackets, with a small number of graduate students spread across ages 20 to 64, indicating a predominantly traditional college-aged population.
Regarding residency, most students are in-state, accounting for 69%, a figure considered average and ranking the college in the top half nationally for this metric. Out-of-state students represent about 25%, which is below average and places the institution in the lower 45% nationwide. The college also has an international student presence, with students from roughly six foreign countries, aligning with the top 40% of colleges for international diversity.
Demographically, Bridgewater College features a moderately varied racial and ethnic composition. White students make up the largest group with 927 individuals, followed by African American students at 151 and Hispanic students numbering 105. Other groups include Asian students (22), students of two or more races (78), Native Americans (5), and Pacific Islanders (1), along with 62 students whose racial background is unreported. These proportions tend to rank the college in the bottom 40 to 45 percent nationally for diversity categories, reflecting a somewhat limited but present racial diversity.
Student life at Bridgewater College offers a blend of artistic and wellness opportunities set within a 190-acre campus. The college supports a variety of cultural activities including a campus newspaper, drama productions, a radio station, band, and chorus, providing students with multiple avenues for creative expression and involvement.
Health and wellbeing are also addressed through available on-campus services such as a health clinic and psychological counseling, aiming to support students' physical and mental needs. Though some specialty offices like a veterans affairs office or a women's center are not available, the existing resources contribute to a supportive campus environment.
Students at Bridgewater College have access to a single main library, the Forrer Learning Commons. This facility is considered average in size and offerings compared to other institutions, ranking in the lower 40th percentile for the number of books and subscriptions available. The library holds approximately 85,438 books and provides 579 subscriptions, with a digital collection including 102,320 digital subscriptions and 65,891 ebooks, the latter being relatively limited and in the bottom 25% for ebook availability.
The library supports research and study with 107 databases, placing it near the median range for academic database resources. Physical and digital access are both provided, alongside established hours of operation totaling 104 weekly service hours. While there is no all-day access, students benefit from access to study rooms and staff trained to assist with research needs. Additionally, Bridgewater College's library participates in shared collections, enhancing resource availability beyond its own holdings.
Total enrollment
1448Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
362Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
92 full time, 54 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
Forrer Learning CommonsNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes