Bridgewater College has again been recognized by U.S. News and World Report and Washington Monthly in multiple national rankings, reaffirming its commitment to excellence in higher education and its dedication to providing an exceptional educational experience for students.
In the 2023 Washington Monthly rankings, Bridgewater College was among 200 institutions recognized as a Best Liberal Arts College. Institutions on this list are evaluated on three equally weighted portions: social mobility, research, and community and national service. Additionally, the College earned a spot on the Best Bang for the Buck in the Southeast, which evaluates the social mobility score by itself. These accolades reflect Bridgewater College’s dedication to providing students with a high-quality education that is also affordable and accessible.
Furthermore, Bridgewater College received recognition from U.S. News and World Report as a Best National Liberal Arts College. This year’s rankings placed a greater emphasis on social mobility and outcomes for graduating college students. More than 50% of an institution’s rank now comprises varying outcome measures related to success in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt and post-graduate success. In addition, five factors were removed for 2024: class size, faculty with terminal degrees, alumni giving, high school class standing and the proportion of graduates who borrow federal loans.
Bridgewater College was also recognized as a top performer in social mobility by U.S. News, which evaluates how well institutions have graduated students who receive federal Pell grants. About one in three BC students are Pell-eligible and attend every year as a result of support from this program, which awarded more than $2 million in grants to Bridgewater students in the 2022-23 academic year.
“Once again, we are thrilled to be recognized in these national rankings. Bridgewater College’s commitment to providing an outstanding education that is accessible to all students and that creates positive social impacts is unwavering,” said Dr. Leona Sevick, Provost and Executive Vice President of Bridgewater College. “The College provides a transformative academic experience that prepares a diverse body of students for success in an increasingly interconnected and changing world. These rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff who empower students to achieve their full potential and to make positive change in society.”
Media Contact:
Logan Bogert
Communications Coordinator
lbogert@bridgewater.edu
(540) 828-5486
