Blackburn College vs. MBC

Comparable Facts

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

Mary Baldwin University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,772 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Mary Baldwin University is in Staunton, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mary Baldwin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Mary Baldwin University 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. MBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or MBC? 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 Mary Baldwin University than Blackburn College ($17,810 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 13.1% lower than at Mary Baldwin University ($9,915 vs. $11,411).
• Mary Baldwin University is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $6,003 more per year; $34,152.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at MBC than at Blackburn College (about $6,003 more per year; $34,152.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Mary Baldwin University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mary Baldwin University students is 44.6% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($28,135 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. MBC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or MBC? 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 MBC and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mary Baldwin University (1030) is 20 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming MBC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Mary Baldwin University 940/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Mary Baldwin University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; MBC - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman MBC students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).

Blackburn College vs. MBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and MBC? 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).

• Mary Baldwin University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than MBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than MBC graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MBC graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MBC students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.