Management Information Systems and Services at Bridgewater College

Bridgewater's MIS program produces first-year earnings of $44,418—roughly $15,000 below what similar programs typically deliver in Virginia and $11,000 below even the bottom quartile nationally. While the estimated debt load of $26,581 from comparable programs is manageable at first glance, that 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio becomes less appealing when graduates from ECPI, Liberty, and Old Dominion all start $10,000+ higher doing essentially the same work.

The gap matters immediately: at $44,418, graduates face tighter budgets for student loan payments, apartment security deposits, and building an emergency fund than peers who invested in higher-performing Virginia programs. This isn't about long-term career trajectories—MIS professionals generally do well over time—but rather whether Bridgewater provides the preparation, recruiting connections, or employer recognition that justify choosing it over alternatives with demonstrably stronger outcomes.

For families evaluating this program, the decision hinges on whether Bridgewater offers something beyond the earnings data—perhaps exceptional faculty mentorship, a tight-knit campus community, or specific geographic ties that matter to your student. If the choice is purely about launching an MIS career, the numbers suggest looking hard at programs where graduates consistently start above $54,000.