Bluffton University vs. PennWest California

Should I go to Bluffton University or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bluffton University or PennWest California is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bluffton University vs. PennWest California comparison
Bluffton University PennWest California College 3 College 4
Bluffton University PennWest California
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Overview

Bluffton University PennWest California
Location Bluffton, OH California, PA
Setting Distant Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 678 6,509
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1038
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bluffton.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bluffton University PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $35,498 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $35,498 $11,574
Room & Board $11,866 $10,416
Avg Net Price $21,299 -
Avg Grant Aid $29,291 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 0%

Admission

Bluffton University PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,873 -
Admitted 1,757 -
Acceptance Rate 61.2%
Enrolled % 10.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 920/1130 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2026

Academics

Bluffton University PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Bluffton University PennWest California
Graduation Rate 59% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

Bluffton University PennWest California
% Men 4% 39%
% Women 7% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 77%
% Black 6% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Bluffton University PennWest California
% In-State 79% 86%
% Out-of-State 19% 13%

Campus

Bluffton University PennWest California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • PennWest California is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 678 students)

Bluffton University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluffton University or PennWest California?

  • Bluffton University is 360.1% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 206.7% higher at Bluffton University than PennWest California ($35,498.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 13.9% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($10,416 vs. $11,866)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than PennWest California (100% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($29,291 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Bluffton University or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Bluffton University .

  • The average SAT score at Bluffton University (972) is 50 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Bluffton University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)

Bluffton University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bluffton University or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and Bluffton University.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than PennWest California (59% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $1,900 more per year than Bluffton University graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $40,600)
  • PennWest California students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • PennWest California graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PennWest California students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/