Biology at Bridgewater College

Bridgewater College's biology program places its graduates slightly above the middle of the pack in Virginia, with first-year earnings of $34,494 landing at the 60th percentile statewide. That's modestly better than Virginia's median of $32,457, though notably below top performers like Virginia Military Institute ($43,797) and Hampden-Sydney ($41,876). The real story here is the debt picture: at $27,000, graduates carry roughly the same burden as their peers nationally and in-state, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78—meaning the full debt equals about nine months of first-year salary.

The 24% earnings bump from year one to year four ($34,494 to $42,648) suggests decent career momentum, though biology majors generally need graduate school or specialized training to reach higher salaries. With a 91% admission rate and below-average Pell enrollment, Bridgewater serves a fairly traditional student body paying private school tuition for middle-tier outcomes.

The critical caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so one particularly successful or struggling cohort could significantly skew the numbers. If your child is considering medical school or other graduate programs, focus on Bridgewater's pre-professional advising and acceptance rates rather than these bachelor's-level earnings. For students planning to work immediately after graduation, this program delivers a reasonable financial start without crushing debt, though hardly a standout opportunity in Virginia's competitive biology landscape.