Blackburn College vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ferrum College is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (763 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Blackburn College vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Ferrum College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blackburn College than Ferrum College ($18,460 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 25.1% lower than at Ferrum College ($9,915 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $371 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Ferrum College than at Blackburn College (about $371 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 77% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($34,444 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Ferrum College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ferrum College and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 20 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Blackburn College vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Ferrum College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($268 vs. $289).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.