Bridgewater hits record enrollment with 601 freshmen

Enrollment at Bridgewater College has hit a record high for the 2016-17 academic year, with 1,894 students.
Enrollment at Bridgewater College has hit a record high for the 2016-17 academic year, with 1,894 students. | File photo
Enrollment at Bridgewater College has hit a record high for the 2016-2017 academic year, with total enrollment reaching 1,894 and a freshman class of 601, according to the college’s office of institutional research.
 
“The college’s ability to grow our enrollment while maintaining the academic strength of our incoming students is an indicator that the quality and value of a Bridgewater education is earning broader attention in the very competitive landscape of higher education,” said President David W. Bushman.
 
The incoming freshman class of 601 students is the school’s largest incoming class ever. The large class is made up of 54 percent women and 31 percent of incoming students are from diverse backgrounds. Further, 32 percent of freshman are from out of state. The new class shares diverse academic interests, with the top five selected majors being business administration, biology, athletic training, health and exercise and psychology.
 
“Additions to our historically robust commitment to the liberal arts, highlighted by the dedication of our Center for Engaged Learning and the upcoming launch of the college’s first graduate program, reflect our ongoing investment in the success of our students,” said Bushman. “Our strong enrollment indicates these initiatives are resonating with prospective students and their families across the state and around the region.”