Bluefield University vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bluefield University is located in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bluefield University 14:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Bluefield University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluefield University or VSU? 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 Virginia State University than Bluefield University ($17,840 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 29% lower than at Virginia State University ($9,480 vs. $13,355).
• Bluefield University is 166.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $16,727 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at Bluefield University than at Virginia State University (about $4,120 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Virginia State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 63.4% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($20,341 vs. $12,447).

Bluefield University vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bluefield University or VSU? 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 VSU and Bluefield University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bluefield University - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Bluefield University vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Bluefield University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bluefield University and VSU? 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).

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $8,666 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($20,834 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($215 vs. $305).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 28%)

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.