Bluefield State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Bluefield State University is a public four-year university in Bluefield, West Virginia, enrolling about 1,042 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 97.23% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $38,217 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,648
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,684 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 97.23% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,042 84.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 37.00%
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
- First-Generation Students: 49.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 16.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 63.0%
- Average SAT Score: 989
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,562
- Applicants (IPEDS): 720
- Room & Board: $11,512 annual estimate
Bluefield State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Bluefield State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Bluefield State University?
Bluefield State University is located in Bluefield, WV (ZIP 24701-2198).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Bluefield State University public or private?
Bluefield State University is a Public institution.
How much does Bluefield State University cost?
Published tuition: $10,648 in-state, $18,376 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,684.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,810 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,703 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,630 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,058 |
| $110,001+ | $16,242 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $42,592.
How hard is it to get into Bluefield State University?
Admission rate: 97.23%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 989 and midpoint ACT 20.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Bluefield State University?
Total enrollment: 1,042 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,562 students.
Graduate enrollment: 24 students.
About 85% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Bluefield State University?
150%-time completion rate: 37.00%.
First-year retention: 54.8%.
What do graduates of Bluefield State University earn?
Median earnings: $35,030 six years after entry; $38,217 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $18,250.
44.44% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Bluefield State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (86 completions)
- General Studies (24 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (24 completions)
- Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (22 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (16 completions)
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist (15 completions)
- Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician (12 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (11 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (10 completions)
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (10 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Bluefield State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 97.23%; completion rate 37.00%; median earnings $38,217 at 10 years; net price $13,684. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,648
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Bluefield State University was $10,648.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,684
2024 Value
In 2024 Bluefield State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,684.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$54,736 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,684 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$42,592 4-Year In-State Tuition
$73,504 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$11,512 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$23,660 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$94,640 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Bluefield State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
44.44% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
55.40% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Bluefield State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Bluefield State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,564 | $10,536 | $8,843 |
| 2014 | $5,832 | $11,064 | $8,908 |
| 2015 | $6,120 | $11,280 | $8,348 |
| 2016 | $6,408 | $12,876 | $8,410 |
| 2017 | $6,728 | $13,032 | $9,065 |
| 2018 | $7,056 | $13,536 | $9,358 |
| 2019 | $7,488 | $14,352 | $8,367 |
| 2020 | $7,680 | $14,544 | $10,961 |
| 2021 | $8,784 | $15,982 | $11,143 |
| 2022 | $9,840 | $17,030 | $10,717 |
| 2023 | $10,240 | $17,560 | $12,529 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
97.23% Acceptance Rate
720 Total Applicants
628 Students Admitted
216 First-Time Students Enrolled
34.39% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 989
ACT Average: 20
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 & Student Demographics
Bluefield State University reported total enrollment of about 1,042 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (66.2%), Black or African American (22.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.3%). About 44.44% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 49.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
84.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Bluefield State University in 2024 is 1,042 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,562 students. Graduate enrollment is about 24 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
54.8%
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.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 66.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
17.02% 100% Completion Time
37.00% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 17.02% of students graduating from Bluefield State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 22% male / 78% female
- General Studies: 29% male / 71% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 54% male / 46% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
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
598.21% Return on Investment
4.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Bluefield State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 23 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 86 completions
2. General Studies: 24 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 24 completions
4. Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians: 22 completions
5. Elementary Education and Teaching: 16 completions
6. Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist: 15 completions
7. Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician: 12 completions
8. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 11 completions
9. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 10 completions
Most popular programs at Bluefield State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Bluefield State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Bluefield State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 63.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,349
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,826
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Bluefield State University is a public institution located in Bluefield, WV, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, General Studies, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 1,042 students. Student body composition includes White (66.2%), Black or African American (22.4%), Hispanic or Latino (5.3%). The admission rate is 97.23%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 989. The 150%-time completion rate is 37.00%. Approximately 44.44% of students receive Pell Grants. About 49.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Location
Bluefield, WV 24701-2198
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 37.00% 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bluefield State University located?
Bluefield State University is located in Bluefield, WV.
What is Bluefield State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Bluefield State University is 97.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 720 applicants and 628 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Bluefield State University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,648 and average net price is $13,684 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,512 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Bluefield State University?
Bluefield State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,562 students, White (66.2%), Black or African American (22.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Bluefield State University?
About 49.2% of students at Bluefield State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Bluefield State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Bluefield State University reports midpoint SAT about 989 and midpoint ACT about 20.
What do graduates of Bluefield State University earn?
Median earnings are $35,030 six years after entry and $38,217 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Bluefield State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 37.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Bluefield State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,250.
Is Bluefield State University public or private?
Bluefield State University is a public institution located in Bluefield, WV.
Is Bluefield State University an HBCU?
Yes. Bluefield State University is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is Bluefield State University a tribal college?
No. Bluefield State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
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
- Related geography & profiles
- West Virginia college costs
- West Virginia colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in West Virginia
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.