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Bluefield State University

Bluefield State University

Bluefield, WV · Town · 1,042 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$13,684
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
36%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$38,217
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
97%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Founded in 1895 in the scenic Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia, Bluefield State University is a historically Black university (HBCU) notable for its uniquely diverse student body and rich institutional heritage. The university is best known for its career-focused STEM and healthcare education, offering renowned, ABET-accredited engineering technology degrees alongside strong programs in nursing, allied health, and business administration. Campus life centers on a close-knit, supportive community characterized by small class sizes, personalized faculty mentorship, and competitive NCAA Division II Big Blues athletics. The recent addition of on-campus housing has revitalized the student experience, blending hands-on technical training with a growing residential and social culture.

Wikipedia:Bluefield State University is a public historically black university (HBCU) in Bluefield, West Virginia, United States. The university is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund but is now a predominantly white institution (PWI).

Location
Bluefield, WV, 24701-2198 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
166 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$10,648$18,376
Housing & food (on campus)$11,512$11,512
Books & supplies$1,500$1,500
Cost of attendance$27,448$35,176
Average net price$13,684Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$18,376
In-state: $10,648
Housing & food (on campus)$11,512
Books & supplies$1,500
Cost of attendance$35,176
In-state: $27,448
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $13,684
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: bluefieldstate.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Bluefield State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$17,376
Books & supplies$1,500
Personal expenses$1,500
Transportation$2,000
Total published by the school$35,176
See how the in-state total ($27,448) is made up
How it’s made up · in-state, 2026-27
Bluefield State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$9,648
Books & supplies$1,500
Personal expenses$1,500
Transportation$2,000
Total published by the school$27,448
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$11,810
$30–48k
$10,703
$48–75k
$14,630
$75–110k
$17,058
$110k+
$16,242
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
36%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
17%
Back for yr 2
55%
Transferred
20%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
48% graduated · 13% transferred · 2% still enrolled · 37% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$35,030
10 yrs after entry$38,217
Debt
Median at graduation$18,250
Monthly payment$193
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.5k
90th percentile$37,563
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
97%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
989
R 440–540 · M 430–540
ACT midpoint
20
Comp 17–22 · E 15–21 · M 16–21
SAT middle 50%: 870–1080
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Bluefield State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 41%Women 59%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
44%
First-gen
49%
Family income
$26,625
Independent
40%
Age at entry
24.0
Part-time
15%
Race & ethnicity
White
66%
Hispanic
5%
Black
22%
Two or more
5%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$35,030
After 10 yrs
$38,217
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities19
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing18
Business Administration, Management and Operations17
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods11
Social Sciences, General10
Criminal Justice and Corrections9
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions9
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians6
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians6
Engineering-Related Fields5
Computer and Information Sciences, General4
Biological and Physical Sciences4
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians3
Health and Medical Administrative Services1
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$5M
Full-time faculty
63%
Faculty salary
$7,349/mo
Teaching spend
$8,826
per student
Federal loans
55%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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