Bluefield State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. a public school with 1,042 students.
About This School
Bluefield State University is a public institution located in Bluefield, West Virginia with approximately 1,042 undergraduate students enrolled. Bluefield State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 97%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,684 per year. The graduation rate is 37%, and the typical graduate earns $31,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $12,529/year net price and a low median debt of $12,038, this HBCU is one of the more affordable options in the region, which matters. But a 35% graduation rate and 55% freshman retention rate are serious red flags — most students who start here don't finish — and median earnings of $31,900 a decade out suggest limited financial lift from the degree. Worth considering only if you have a clear plan, strong support systems, and genuinely need to minimize upfront costs.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 22% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,042 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in West Virginia
American Public University System
Charles Town, WV · Private for-profit
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV · Public
Marshall University
Huntington, WV · Public
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV · Public
Martinsburg College
Martinsburg, WV · Private for-profit
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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