Bluefield State University

https://bluefieldstate.edu

Add Comparison

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$9,648

4.42% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$15,814

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

97.2%

687 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

1,141

81% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

29.8%

28 Graduates

About

Bluefield State University is a higher education institution located in Mercer County, WV. In 2024, the most popular Associates Degree concentrations at Bluefield State University were Registered Nursing (77 degrees awarded), Radiation Therapist (15 degrees), and Civil Engineering Technology (11 degrees).

In 2024, 273 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Bluefield State University. 59.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 40.7% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (237 degrees), 13.9 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (17 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Bluefield State University is $9,648, which is $−18,530 less than the national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields Baccalaureate Colleges

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Bluefield State University is $9,648, which is $18,530 less than the national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $15,814.

In 2024, 76% of undergraduate students attending Bluefield State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 55% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$9,648

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Bluefield State University was $9,648. The cost of tuition at Bluefield State University is $−18,530 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Bluefield State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$15,814

2024 Value

9.06%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Bluefield State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,814. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Bluefield State University grew by 9.06%.

This chart compares the average net price of Bluefield State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,327

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Bluefield State University was of $11,327 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 11% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 25% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Bluefield State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

76%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

55%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

76% of undergraduate students at Bluefield State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 1.3% with respect to 2023, when 77% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Bluefield State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Bluefield State University received 687 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 4.58% annual growth. Out of those 687 applicants, 668 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 97.2% acceptance rate.

There were 1,141 students enrolled at Bluefield State University in 2024. 50% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Bluefield State University has an overall enrollment yield of 32.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

97.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

668

Accepted Out of 687

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Bluefield State University was 97.2% (668 admissions from 687 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 87.2%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants declined by 4.58%, while admissions grew by 6.37%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Bluefield State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

50%

Submission Percentage (2024)

Scores Submitted (2024)

50% of enrolled first-time students at Bluefield State University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Bluefield State University had a total enrollment of 1,141 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Bluefield State University is 924 students and the part-time enrollment is 217. This means that 81% of students enrolled at Bluefield State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Bluefield State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 67.2% White, 21.4% Black or African American, 4.91% Hispanic or Latino, 4.56% Two or More Races, 0.438% Asian, 0.175% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.0876% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Bluefield State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (43.4%), followed by White Male (22.2%) and Black or African American Male (13.5%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (35.3%), followed by Black or African American Female (17.6%) and Black or African American Male (17.6%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

81%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Bluefield State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 1,141 students. The full-time enrollment at Bluefield State University is 924 and the part-time enrollment is 217. This means that 81% of students enrolled at Bluefield State University are enrolled full-time compared with 78.9% at similar Baccalaureate Colleges.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Bluefield State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

55%

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. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Bluefield State University was 55%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Baccalaureate Colleges (75%), Bluefield State University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Bluefield State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
767 enrolled students
Black or African American
244 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
56 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Bluefield State University is 67.2% White, 21.4% Black or African American, 4.91% Hispanic or Latino, 4.56% Two or More Races, 0.438% Asian, 0.175% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.0876% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Baccalaureate Colleges is 50.5% White, 15.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.2% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 12 students (1.05%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 51 more women than men received degrees from Bluefield State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Bluefield State University is white (237 degrees awarded). There were 13.9 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (17 degrees).

The most common Associates Degree concentration at Bluefield State University is Registered Nursing (77 degrees awarded), followed by Radiation Therapist (15 degrees) and Civil Engineering Technology (11 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Bluefield State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering Technologies (50 degrees awarded), Health (120 degrees), and Protective Services (10 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Registered nurses

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Bluefield State University are Registered nurses (1,571,039 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (1,561,154 people), Secondary school teachers (496,772 people), Education administrators (281,294 people), and Other managers (266,444 people).

The most specialized majors at Bluefield State University in 2024 are Engineering Technologies (50 degrees awarded), Health (120 degrees), Protective Services (10 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (8 degrees), and Education (16 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Bluefield State University are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, Actuaries, and Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

The most specialized majors at Bluefield State University are Engineering Technologies (50 degrees awarded), Health (120 degrees), Protective Services (10 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (8 degrees), and Education (16 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Bluefield State University are Elementary & secondary schools (2,996,884 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (1,806,495 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (403,882 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (397,778 people), and Outpatient care centers (360,491 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Bluefield State University.

Most Common (2024)

Registered Nursing
77 degrees awarded
Radiation Therapist
15 degrees awarded
Civil Engineering Technology
11 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common associates degree concentration at Bluefield State University was Registered Nursing with 77 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from associates degree programs at Bluefield State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

111

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

162

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 111 degrees were awarded to men at Bluefield State University, which is 0.685 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (162).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Bluefield State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 19 degrees were awarded to men at Bluefield State University in Registered Nursing, which is 0.284 times less than the 67 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 67 degrees were awarded to men at Bluefield State University in Registered Nursing, which is 3.53 times more than the 19 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

31%

100% Completion Time

41%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 31% of students graduating from Bluefield State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 41% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 43% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Baccalaureate Colleges Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
237 degrees awarded
Black or African American
17 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
10 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Bluefield State University is white (237 degrees awarded). There were 13.9 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (17 degrees).

0.366% of degree recipients (1 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
201 degrees awarded
White Female
186 degrees awarded
White Female
180 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Bluefield State University is white female (201 degrees awarded). There were 1.08 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (186 degrees).

Operations

Bluefield State University has an endowment valued at nearly $4.58M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 321k (7.01%) compared to the 7.58% average return (3.75M on 49.5M) across all Baccalaureate Colleges.

In 2024, Bluefield State University had a total salary expenditure of 31M. Bluefield State University employs 19 Associate professors, 18 Professors and 16 Assistant professors. Most academics at Bluefield State University are Male Associate professor (13), Male Professor (12), and Female Assistant professor (12).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Bluefield State University are: Management, with 39 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 31 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 19 employees.

Endowment

$4.58M

2024 Endowment

1.4%

decline from 2023

Bluefield State University has an endowment valued at about $4.58M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Bluefield State University declined 1.4% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $44.9M lower than than the median endowment of Baccalaureate Colleges according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Bluefield State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$13.3M

2024 Salaries

1.34%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Bluefield State University paid a median of $13.3M in salaries, which represents 42.7% of their overall expenditure ($31M) and a 1.34% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 5.53% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 16.8% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$4.23M

Instructional Salaries

Number of Employees

In 2024, Bluefield State University paid a total of $4.23M to 64 employees working as instructors, which represents 31.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $522k (3.48%) for similar Baccalaureate Colleges.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Bluefield State University were Management with 39 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 31 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 19 employees.

Keep Exploring

University of South Carolina Beaufort

University

University of Maine at Fort Kent

University

Southern Virginia University

University

Central Baptist College

University

York University

University