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Bluffton University

Bluffton University

Bluffton, OH · Rural · 582 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$19,943
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
51%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$49,547
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
67%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA, Bluffton University is a private liberal arts institution in northwest Ohio known for its values-centered education rooted in peace, service, and community. The university features strong academic programs in business administration, nursing, education, dietetics, and social work, as well as specialized offerings in peace and conflict studies. Campus life is characterized by a close-knit, supportive atmosphere, active NCAA Division III athletics, and access to an expansive 160-acre nature preserve. A distinctive hallmark of the student experience is the "Bluffton Blueprint," a four-year core curriculum that combines personalized career readiness with a required cross-cultural immersion experience.

Wikipedia:Bluffton University is a private Mennonite university in Bluffton, Ohio, United States. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with three programs that have earned programmatic accreditation: education, nursing and social work. The university has more than ninety majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs, and eighteen NCAA Division III athletic teams and a co-ed esports team.

Location
Bluffton, OH, 45817-2104 · Rural campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
CMH · Columbus
82 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$37,362
Housing & food (on campus)$12,220
Books & supplies$1,600
Cost of attendance$56,562
Average net price$19,943
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$37,362
Housing & food (on campus)$12,220
Books & supplies$1,600
Cost of attendance$56,562
Average net price$19,943
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.bluffton.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Bluffton University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$38,790
Housing$6,382
Food$6,582
Books & supplies$1,600
Personal expenses$2,304
Transportation$904
Total of the above$56,562
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$16,363
$30–48k
$16,689
$48–75k
$18,469
$75–110k
$21,233
$110k+
$26,321
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
51%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
50%
Back for yr 2
60%
Transferred
42%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
50% graduated · 50% transferred · none still enrolled or left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$41,940
10 yrs after entry$49,547
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$5.7k–$28.7k
90th percentile$37,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — diverse fields: 43% graduate within 6 yrs, $45,606 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
67%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
976
R 430–550 · M 430–580
SAT middle 50%: 860–1130
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Bluffton University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 58%Women 42%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
45%
First-gen
33%
Family income
$60,399
Independent
13%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
63%
Hispanic
3%
Black
19%
Asian
1%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
9%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$41,940
After 10 yrs
$49,547
Business Administration, Management and Operations36
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness25
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods16
Social Work14
Criminal Justice and Corrections12
Marketing11
Psychology, General10
Mathematics9
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs8
Biology, General7
Accounting and Related Services7
Communication and Media Studies5
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services5
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services5
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing5
Special Education and Teaching4
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$26M
Full-time faculty
51%
Faculty salary
$5,689/mo
Teaching spend
$11,125
per student
Federal loans
77%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Bluffton University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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