Bluefield University
#4 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 22% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,896 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $25,573 D
- 49% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 59% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.5 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $11.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,073,729.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 20% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 22% — 61% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Bluefield University
Bluefield 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
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 614
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 54
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Humanities, Education
Why students choose Bluefield 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
Competitive — admits about 59% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,573 a year after grants and scholarships — 49% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,896 ten years after enrolling — 20% above the typical college, against $21,855 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 enrollment of 614 students, Bluefield University offers a close-knit educational environment ideal for those who thrive in smaller settings. The school attracts individuals interested in programs like Criminal Justice, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Education. This variety means students can explore their passions while receiving a personalized education that feels supportive and engaging.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $48,896 within ten years of completing their degree. While the graduation rate sits at 22%, those who do graduate often find that their degrees can lead to upward mobility in their careers. The affordability of attending Bluefield is another factor to consider, especially with a net price of $25,573, making it accessible for many students.
When it comes to the financial bottom line, the median debt of $21,855 is an important consideration. This level of debt is manageable for graduates who are prepared to enter the workforce. Students who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds and are looking for a community-oriented atmosphere where they can grow both academically and personally.
Rankings
- #4 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia
- #6 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Virginia
- #6 Best Online Business Programs in Virginia
- #7 Best Online Education Programs in Virginia
- #8 Best Online Nursing Programs in Virginia
- #15 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Virginia
- #17 Best Education Colleges in Virginia
- #19 Best Communications Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Bluefield 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 University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Bluefield University, located in Bluefield, Virginia, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 59% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Retention Rate
- 61%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,619
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
- Applicants
- 984
- Admitted
- 620
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 University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bluefield University is $26,770, 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 $25,573. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,807 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,855 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $26,770
- Out-of-State
- $26,770
- Avg Net Price
- $25,573
- Median Debt
- $21,855
- Pell Grant Rate
- 51%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 71%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $25,807
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $25,454
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $25,732
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,430
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 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 University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bluefield University earn a median of $48,896, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,923
- 8 Years
- $44,360
- 10 Years
- $48,896
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (33)
- 22%
- 100% (33)
- 22%
- 100% (33)
- 22%
- 100% (33)
- 22%
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 University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bluefield University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,573/year ($102,292 total). Graduates earn $48,896 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,176,021 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,073,729 (11.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,855, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 22% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $102,292
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,176,021
- Net Return
- $1,073,729
- ROI Multiple
- 11.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,573
- Median Debt
- $21,855
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 22%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $6,707,650
- Federal Grants
- $2,843,481
- Investment Income
- $-736,830
Top Programs
The fields Bluefield 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.
- Business & Marketing 22% $48,724 early-career
- Criminal Justice 16% $42,300 early-career
- Humanities 9%
- Education 8%
- Health Professions 6% $68,105 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Communications 4%
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 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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bluefield University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Bluefield University, located in Bluefield, Virginia, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 59% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bluefield University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bluefield University is $26,770, 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 $25,573. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,807 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,855 in federal student loans.
Is Bluefield University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bluefield University earn a median of $48,896, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bluefield University.
- Bethany CollegeLindsborg, KS · Close peer32% grad $49,694 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Howard Payne UniversityBrownwood, TX · Close peer30% grad $48,376 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- LaGrange CollegeLagrange, GA · Close peer44% grad $51,745 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Defiance CollegeDefiance, OH · Close peer34% grad $49,351 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Young Harris CollegeYoung Harris, GA · Close peer44% grad $47,195 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Lourdes UniversitySylvania, OH · Close peer35% grad $48,150 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
