About Bluefield State University
Students pay an average net price of $12,529 after financial aid, with 41% receiving Pell Grants for low-income families. Graduates earn a median of $38,217 ten years after leaving school, which creates challenging math for loan repayment. The typical graduate carries $18,250 in debt with monthly payments of $193. Given that only 32% of borrowers successfully repay their loans, the financial picture requires careful consideration.
The academic experience reflects the school's open-access mission, with just 35% of students graduating within six years and 55% returning for their second year. BSU fields 20 varsity sports teams as the Big Blues in NCAA Division II, awarding nearly $2.4 million in athletic scholarships to 394 student-athletes.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60.8%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 34.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 34.6%
- Retention Rate
- 55.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $38,217
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $48,935 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $48,041 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $37,208 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $32,391 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $30,554 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $28,236 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $26,933 |
Campus Life
Weekend life revolves around the Big Blues athletic programs, with 394 student-athletes competing across 20 Division II sports. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association brings excitement to basketball and football seasons. Students often head to nearby Princeton or make the hour drive to Beckley for shopping and dining options. Campus traditions center on the school's 128-year history as a historically black institution, though today's student body reflects significant demographic shifts. With 90% of students from West Virginia, the community feels tight-knit despite the commuter-heavy environment. Study groups and campus organizations fill weekday evenings in this small Appalachian college town.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 233 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1895
Campus Safety (2023)
12 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Burglary | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 26°–42°F
- July Avg
- 64°–81°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 81.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 31.4"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 39.7%
- Women
- 60.3%
- White
- 72.2%
- Black
- 17.1%
- Hispanic
- 4.1%
- Asian
- 0.2%
- In-State Students
- 90.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 40.8%
Location
- Address
- Bluefield, West Virginia 24701-2198
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $38,217
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $62,433
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $29,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 32.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $193/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $18,250
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Bluefield State University?
Bluefield State University accepts 97.17% of applicants, making it highly accessible to students. The average SAT score is 975, which reflects the university's commitment to serving students from diverse academic backgrounds in rural West Virginia.
How much does Bluefield State University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $12,529 per year at Bluefield State University. With 40.75% of students receiving Pell Grants and relatively low in-state tuition at $10,240, the university remains affordable for working-class families throughout Appalachia.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Bluefield State University?
Bluefield State University maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio with total enrollment of 1,231 students. This small size allows for personal attention in a historically black university that has evolved into one of West Virginia's most diverse institutions.
What are the graduation rates at Bluefield State University?
The six-year graduation rate is 34.60% at Bluefield State University, with graduates earning a median salary of $38,217 ten years after graduation. The 55.33% retention rate reflects challenges common among regional universities serving first-generation college students.
Where is Bluefield State University located and what housing options exist?
Bluefield State University sits in the small town of Bluefield, West Virginia, near the Virginia border. With housing capacity for only 233 students out of 1,231 enrolled, most students commute from the local community where 90.23% are in-state residents.
How diverse is Bluefield State University as an HBCU?
As a historically black university, Bluefield State now enrolls 72.22% white students and 17.14% Black students, making it unusually diverse for the region. Women comprise 60.28% of the student body, and the university has become known for bridging racial divides in Appalachian higher education.
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