BRIDGEWATER, VA (Rocktown Now) — Bridgewater College welcomed more than 400 new students to campus this fall, including members of their first women’s flag football team and 25 new members of their award-winning Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band, which will travel to Italy to represent BC in the Rome New Year’s Day Parade in just a few months. 

This is the third cohort of students who were able to take advantage of BC’s tuition transparency initiative, which reset the published undergraduate tuition price to reflect the real cost of a private college education. In addition, 100 percent of incoming, full-time undergraduate students receive financial assistance.

“We’re thrilled with the incoming class and all that they’ll bring to campus,” said Dr. David Bushman, President of the College. “They remined us that when you’re transparent about the real cost of a college education, the real value of a BC education is obvious.”

Joining the BC community are 66 transfer students, many coming to Bridgewater from Blue Ridge Community College in nearby Weyers Cave, Va.

“It is always a joy to welcome new members into the Bridgewater family,” said Dr. Leslie Frere, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. “There’s a special energy on campus as our newest Eagles arrive, begin making connections and discover all that Bridgewater has to offer. We’re excited to see the experiences, ideas and talents they’ll bring to our community and the ways they’ll make Bridgewater their own.”

These new Eagles hail from 216 different high schools and 32 different colleges in 19 different states and two countries. Their top choice of majors are business administration, health and exercise science, psychology, biology, elementary education, criminology and engineering.

Other facts about Bridgewater College’s Class of 2030:
Note: This information is based on the best available data at the time of publication from Bridgewater College.

  • 34% are first-generation students, meaning they are the first in their families to attend college
  • 31% are Pell-eligible, awarded to students with exceptional financial need
  • 15% are part of the College’s Flory Honors program, which requires a strong academic record