Bluefield State University
#9 Best HBCUs for Public Health- Graduation Rate
- 36% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,217 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $13,684 C+
- 20% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.4 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best HBCUs for Public Health.
Every $1 spent returns $15.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $787,800.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 36% — 37% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Bluefield State University
Bluefield State University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,042
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Education
Why students choose Bluefield State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 870–1080. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,684 a year after grants and scholarships — 20% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,217 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $18,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 97%, Bluefield State University is a welcoming choice for students seeking a supportive environment. This school fits those looking for a diverse range of programs, particularly in Health Professions, Humanities, Education, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science & IT. Students here can expect a close-knit community where they can explore their interests and develop their skills.
After graduation, students typically earn around $38,217 within ten years, which gives a glimpse of the potential financial return on their investment. While the graduation rate is 36%, it's important to note that many who complete their degrees find opportunities to move up in their careers. The affordability factor also plays a role, as this university serves a significant portion of Pell Grant recipients, indicating that it's accessible for many students from lower-income backgrounds.
When it comes to finances, the net price after aid is approximately $13,684, and the median debt stands at $18,250. This means that while there’s some financial burden, it's manageable compared to other institutions. Students who thrive here often appreciate the community feel, the affordability, and the chance to pursue practical degrees that lead to real-world careers.
Rankings
- #9 Best HBCUs for Public Health
- #12 Best HBCUs for Healthcare Administration
- #13 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia
- #13 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia
- #15 Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
- #16 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
- #17 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia
- #17 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Bluefield State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bluefield State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bluefield, West Virginia, Bluefield State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 989. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 55%
- SAT Average
- 989
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 870–1080
- ACT Range
- 17–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 63%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,349
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 49%
- Applicants
- 813
- Admitted
- 790
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bluefield State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bluefield State University is $18,376, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,684. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,810 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,648
- Out-of-State
- $18,376
- Avg Net Price
- $13,684
- Median Debt
- $18,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 55%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,810
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,703
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,630
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,242
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Bluefield State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bluefield State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bluefield State University report median earnings of $38,217, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,030
- 8 Years
- $40,604
- 10 Years
- $38,217
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 51%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (18)
- 14%
- 100% (18)
- 14%
- 100% (18)
- 14%
- 100% (18)
- 14%
How Bluefield Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Bluefield State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bluefield State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,684/year ($54,736 total). Graduates earn $38,217 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $842,536 in total earnings — a net gain of $787,800 (15.4× your investment). The median debt is $18,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $54,736
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $842,536
- Net Return
- $787,800
- ROI Multiple
- 15.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,684
- Median Debt
- $18,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $4,099,523
- Federal Grants
- $2,951,024
- Investment Income
- $-84,582
Top Programs
The fields Bluefield State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 43% $57,082 early-career
- Humanities 13%
- Business & Marketing 11%
- Education 6% $33,550 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $32,002 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $36,304 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bluefield State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bluefield State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bluefield, West Virginia, Bluefield State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 989. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bluefield State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bluefield State University is $18,376, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,684. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,810 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,250 in federal student loans.
Is Bluefield State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bluefield State University report median earnings of $38,217, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bluefield State University.
- Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA · Close peer39% grad $38,275 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Tennessee SouthernPulaski, TN · Close peer36% grad $38,924 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, WV · Close peer36% grad $40,492 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Edward Waters UniversityJacksonville, FL · Close peer28% grad $34,782 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Shorter UniversityRome, GA · Close peer37% grad $44,604 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX · Close peer29% grad $41,871 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
