At $17,430/yr net price, Bluffton University graduates earn $49,547/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,547/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,430 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $69,720 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,547/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,547/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,521/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,667/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,013/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,361/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,482/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
49.5% of students at Bluffton University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Bluffton's numbers land in mixed territory, leaning weak. You pay around $17,000 a year net, carry $27,000 in median debt, and land at roughly $49,500 ten years out. That earnings figure clears the debt but leaves little cushion, and the return depends heavily on what you study and whether you finish.
Finishing is the first risk. Only about half of students graduate, and two-thirds come back after freshman year. If you leave with debt and no degree, the math breaks entirely. Before you commit, be honest about whether you'll make it to a diploma here.
The program data tells a flat story. Business Administration tops the list but still starts near $39,000, and the gap between the highest and lowest program earnings is small. Human Resources, Accounting, Health and Physical Education, and Special Education all land in the mid-to-high $30,000s. None of the listed bachelor's programs break $40,000 in early earnings, so no single major here changes your financial picture dramatically. Special Education and Teaching sits at the bottom, which matters because Ohio teacher pay is modest and you'd carry the same $27,000 debt into a lower-paying field.
The net price tiers hold a surprise. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay the least of any group, around $13,500. Families in the $75,000 to $110,000 band pay the most, over $23,000. If you're in that middle-upper range, Bluffton is your most expensive tier, and you should compare hard against public options.
Bluffton fits you if you want business or accounting, you're confident you'll graduate, and either you qualify for low-income pricing or your family clears the six-figure line. If you're aiming at teaching, or you sit in that costly middle-income band, look at cheaper alternatives first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bluffton University worth the cost?
Bluffton University offers reasonable value with a net price of $17,430 annually and median debt of $27,000. However, the 49.5% graduation rate means half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who leave with debt but no degree.
What are the highest paying majors at Bluffton University?
Business Administration graduates earn the most at around $58,000, while other business programs like Accounting and Human Resources average $38,000. Health and Physical Education graduates typically earn $36,000, which is below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Bluffton University graduates have?
The median debt load is $27,000, which is manageable compared to national averages. With average earnings of $49,547 ten years after graduation, most graduates can handle this debt level if they complete their degree.
What is Bluffton University's graduation rate?
Only 49.5% of students graduate from Bluffton University, meaning more than half drop out before finishing. This low completion rate is the biggest risk factor for prospective students, as leaving without a degree while carrying debt creates poor financial outcomes.