Bluffton University
#3 Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,547 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,943 C-
- 16% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 67% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.2 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $15.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,133,446.
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 22% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Bluffton University Matters
Bluffton University is a private college in Bluffton, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 582
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 69
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose Bluffton 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 67% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 860–1130. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,943 a year after grants and scholarships — 16% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,547 ten years after enrolling — 22% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 99% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.63 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With about 582 students, Bluffton University provides a tight-knit community that feels personal. This school is a good fit for those who thrive in smaller settings and value close relationships with faculty. Students here study a variety of disciplines, including Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. Each of these programs aims to equip students with practical skills and knowledge for their careers.
After graduation, the typical earnings sit at around $49,547 after ten years, which gives a sense of what you might expect in the job market. While the graduation rate is 51%, it’s important to consider that many students do find their path, even if it takes longer. For those who receive Pell Grants, which is 45% of the student body, the financial support can play a crucial role in making education more accessible and helping them move toward successful careers.
The financial aspects of attending Bluffton are also worth noting. The net price after aid is approximately $19,943, and the median debt upon graduation is around $27,000. Those who tend to thrive here are often students looking for a supportive environment where they can engage deeply with their studies and community. It’s a place for learners who value both education and personal growth.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Bluffton 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 Bluffton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bluffton, Ohio, Bluffton University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 976. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Retention Rate
- 60%
- SAT Average
- 976
- SAT Range
- 860–1130
- ACT Range
- 16–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,689
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.57
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 1,105
- Admitted
- 1,064
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 Bluffton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bluffton University is $37,362, 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 $19,943. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,363 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,362
- Out-of-State
- $37,362
- Avg Net Price
- $19,943
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 77%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,363
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,689
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,469
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,321
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 Bluffton 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 Bluffton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bluffton University earn a median of $49,547, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,940
- 8 Years
- $45,970
- 10 Years
- $49,547
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (108)
- 50%
- 100% (108)
- 50%
- 100% (108)
- 50%
- 100% (108)
- 50%
How Bluffton Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bluffton University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bluffton University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,943/year ($79,772 total). Graduates earn $49,547 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,213,218 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,133,446 (15.2× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $79,772
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,213,218
- Net Return
- $1,133,446
- ROI Multiple
- 15.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,943
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bluffton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bluffton University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.15%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 5.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.15%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 5.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $104,752
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,552,224
- Investment Income
- $776,134
Top Programs
The fields Bluffton 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 17% $46,521 early-career
- Education 13% $41,658 early-career
- Health Professions 6%
- Psychology 6%
- Communications 5%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 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 Bluffton 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
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bluffton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bluffton, Ohio, Bluffton University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 976. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bluffton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bluffton University is $37,362, 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 $19,943. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,363 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Bluffton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bluffton University earn a median of $49,547, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Bluffton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bluffton University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.15%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 5.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bluffton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bluffton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bluffton University.
- Bushnell UniversityEugene, OR · Close peer59% grad $53,623 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rosemont CollegeRosemont, PA · Close peer49% grad $48,555 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lyon CollegeBatesville, AR · Close peer51% grad $44,232 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Holy Cross CollegeNotre Dame, IN · Close peer50% grad $50,416 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Dakota Wesleyan UniversityMitchell, SD · Close peer47% grad $53,728 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Holy CrossNew Orleans, LA · Close peer42% grad $49,316 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bluffton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bluffton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note