Bluefield State University

Last updated: April 13, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

Bluefield State University is a public institution located in Bluefield, WV, offering 23 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. Bluefield State University provides students with educational opportunities designed to prepare them for success in their chosen fields.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,240
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $12,529 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 87.22% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,231 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 34.56%
  • Average SAT Score: 998

Costs

Tuition Costs

$10,240
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Bluefield State University was $10,240.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$12,529
2024 Value

In 2024 Bluefield State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,529.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$50,116 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$12,529 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$40,960 4-Year In-State Tuition

$70,240 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for Bluefield State University.

Financial Aid by Income Level

40.75% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

53.47% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Bluefield State University was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

87.22% Acceptance Rate

This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

SAT Average: 998

Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.

Academic Requirements

Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4

Estimated Median GPA: 3.20

Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.

Estimated GPA and test score ranges.

Enrollment

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Bluefield State University in 2024 is 1,231 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.

Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

20.63% 100% Completion Time

34.56% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 20.63% of students graduating from Bluefield State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

ROI & Programs

Financial value and program information for Bluefield State University.

Return on Investment

$18,250 Median Student Debt

$38,217 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)

47.75% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

662.57% Return on Investment

4.8 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for Bluefield State University.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research: 86 completions

CIP 24.0102: 24 completions

CIP 52.0201: 24 completions

CIP 15.0201: 22 completions

Elementary Education & Teaching: 16 completions

CIP 51.0907: 15 completions

CIP 15.0805: 12 completions

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: 11 completions

Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration: 10 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 273 completions

Most popular programs at Bluefield State University.

Employment Outcomes

$35,030 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$40,604 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$38,217 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for Bluefield State University graduates.

About

Bluefield State University is a public institution located in Bluefield, WV, offering 23 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 1,231 students. The admission rate is 87.22%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 998. The institution maintains a 34.56% graduation rate. Approximately 40.75% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Public

Location

Bluefield, WV 24701-2198

Region: Southeast

Insights and Analysis

Graduation Rate Considerations: The 34.56% graduation rate at Bluefield State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
    • Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
    • Employment and wage data by occupation
    • Latest data: May 2024
    • Source: bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
    • Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
    • Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
    • Source: onetcenter.org
  • IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
    • Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
  • Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
    • Demographic and workforce data
    • Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
    • Source: census.gov/acs

Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

Methodology

Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.

All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.