Bluefield State University vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Bluefield State University in Bluefield, WV with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is larger than Bluefield State University based on total student enrollment (3,650 students vs. 1,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bluefield State University is located in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting); Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting).
• Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bluefield State University 13:1; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 18:1.

Bluefield State University vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluefield State University or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Bluefield State University than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology ($15,814 vs. $15,984).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 4.1% lower than at Bluefield State University ($11,040 vs. $11,512).
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is 129.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $13,752 more per year; $24,400.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than at Bluefield State University (about $6,024 more per year; $24,400.00 vs. $18,376.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than at Bluefield State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students is 100.8% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($19,706 vs. $9,814).

Bluefield State University vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bluefield State University or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Bluefield State University.

• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bluefield State University - Test optional; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Bluefield State University (3.41).
• Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (87.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.8% at Bluefield State University vs. 9.6% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Bluefield State University vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bluefield State University and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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).

• Bluefield State University's six-year graduation rate (22%) is higher than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's (9%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates ($196 vs. $274).
• More Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 30%)

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.