Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 47.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.5%
- Retention Rate
- 67.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $49,547
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 64.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,995 | $37,330 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,153 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $36,077 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $33,637 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $28,598 |
Outcomes Overview
Bluffton graduates enter the workforce with manageable debt loads relative to their earning potential. The median debt of $27,000 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. Monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 7% of typical graduate income, a reasonable burden. The 98.6% employment rate reflects the university's strong career preparation, particularly in education and business fields where many alumni find work. Graduates in their first year earn $37,955, climbing to $49,547 by their tenth year out. The combination of affordable debt loads, high employment rates, and steady income growth in stable career fields makes this a strong return on investment.