BRIDGEWATER, VA (Rocktown Now) — Bridgewater College welcomed more than 500 new students to campus this fall.

Officials say this is the second cohort of students who were able to take advantage of BC’s tuition transparency initiative, which reset the published undergraduate tuition price to “one that more accurately reflects the real cost of a private college education.” In addition, 100 percent of incoming, full-time undergraduate students receive financial assistance.

“Too many families think that a private college education is unaffordable. Here at Bridgewater, we have demonstrated that it can be within reach,” said Dr. David Bushman, President of the College. “We’re thrilled that students and families are taking a closer look at Bridgewater and seeing the value in a high-quality and affordable private college education.”

Included in the number of incoming students are 72 transfer students, the second largest number of students to transfer to BC in one semester. Many of the transfer students are coming to Bridgewater from Blue Ridge Community College in nearby Weyers Cave.

“We welcome all the new students into the Bridgewater family,” said Dr. Leslie Frere, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. “Our faculty, coaches, staff and returning students all look forward to helping the newest Eagles build the connections that will see them through their academic careers and beyond.”

This year, the College is welcoming 527 new students, including first-year, transfer and graduate students. These new Eagles hail from 181 different high schools and 37 different colleges in 17 different states and two countries. Thirty new students have joined the Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band, which was invited to perform in Philadelphia’s annual Thanksgiving Parade last fall.

The top choice of majors for the new students are business administration, health and exercise science, biology, elementary education and engineering. Students can also pursue studies in one of three new undergraduate majors—criminology, game design, international security and diplomacy—or a new Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management.