C
Average
Score: 47/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
26/100 · earnings-weighted

Bluefield State University

4-Year Public HBCU
📍 Bluefield, West Virginia 24701
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 35%
Outcomes
C
54/100
Affordability
C+
56/100
Resources
C
46/100
Experience
B
65/100
Prestige
F
18/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

1,270
Total Enrollment
35%
Graduation Rate
55%
Retention Rate
17.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
87%
Acceptance Rate
$14,500
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Bluefield State University ▼

18% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

Avg Home Value
$115,567
Avg Monthly Rent
$814
1-Year Change
+4.2%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Bluefield State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$38,217
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$35,030
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$18,250
Median debt at graduation
37%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
989
Average SAT
20
Median ACT
44.4%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 48% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 15th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (WV wage index 0.71). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Bluefield State University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$67,148$82,760-7%#622 of 966#185$25,000
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$45,918$67,441-5%#135 of 253#81—
Criminal Justice and Corrections$30,506$42,085-24%#636 of 660#535—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$25,677$40,711-23%#441 of 476#360$19,426
Social Sciences—$40,355-24%#83 of 87#64—

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Bluefield State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $115,567
  • Avg rent near campus: $814/mo — vs ~$600/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 24613 (6.0% cap, Bluefield)

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $9,240 $16,560
Room $5,400
Board $5,408
Total Cost (On-Campus) $27,067 $34,387

Financial Aid

99%
Receive Any Aid
48%
Receive Pell Grants
65%
Take Out Loans
$14,500
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$10,971
$30,001 - $48,000$11,213
$48,001 - $75,000$11,772
$75,001 - $110,000$16,204
$110,001+$15,428

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 86 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 24 grads/yr General Studies 24 grads/yr Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians 22 grads/yr Elementary Education and Teaching 16 grads/yr Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 15 grads/yr Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician 12 grads/yr Computer and Information Sciences, General 11 grads/yr Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 10 grads/yr Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer 10 grads/yr Biological and Physical Sciences 8 grads/yr Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician 7 grads/yr Engineering/Industrial Management 5 grads/yr Health/Health Care Administration/Management 5 grads/yr Surveying Technology/Surveying 4 grads/yr Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling 3 grads/yr Social Sciences, General 3 grads/yr Humanities/Humanistic Studies 3 grads/yr Office Management and Supervision 2 grads/yr Medical/Clinical Assistant 1 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Bluefield State University's top programs commonly pursue.

Registered nurses
$94k/yr 3,391,000 jobs
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
$80k/yr 91,600 jobs
Chief executives
$206k/yr 309,400 jobs
Compensation and benefits managers
$140k/yr 20,900 jobs
Human resources managers
$140k/yr 221,900 jobs
Sales managers
$138k/yr 619,500 jobs
Managers, all other
$137k/yr 1,333,700 jobs
Training and development managers
$127k/yr 46,400 jobs

Student Demographics

1,270
Total Students
61%
Women
70%
Traditional Age (18-24)
18%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 72%
Hispanic 4%
Black 17%
Two or More 5%
Non-Resident 1%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 25%
Off-Campus (Renters) 18%
With Family 57%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~226 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 17%
Hybrid (Some Online) 55%
Fully Online 28%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 70%
25-64 (Adult) 19%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Bluefield State University?
Bluefield State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Bluefield State University?
Tuition at Bluefield State University is $9,240 for in-state students and $16,560 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $14,500.
What is the graduation rate at Bluefield State University?
The graduation rate at Bluefield State University is 35%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is Bluefield State University a good school?
Bluefield State University has a Repit College Score of 47/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Bluefield State University?
Bluefield State University has a total enrollment of 1,270 students.
Is there rental demand near Bluefield State University?
Yes! Approximately 18% of students at Bluefield State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 226 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Bluefield State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology