Bluffton University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare Bluffton University in Bluffton, OH with Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bluffton University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (646 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bluffton University is located in Bluffton, OH (Distant Town setting); Cleveland Institute of Music is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Bluffton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bluffton University 11:1; Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1.

Bluffton University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluffton University or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Bluffton University than Cleveland Institute of Music ($20,429 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 26.4% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($12,220 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 41.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluffton University (about $15,518 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $37,362.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Bluffton University (about $15,518 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $37,362.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bluffton University as at Cleveland Institute of Music (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students ($31,481 vs. $31,191).

Bluffton University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bluffton University or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music and Bluffton University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bluffton University 860/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bluffton University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bluffton University - Test optional; Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Bluffton University has a higher acceptance rate (67.2%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9% at Bluffton University vs. 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music.

Bluffton University vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bluffton University and Cleveland Institute of Music? 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Music's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Bluffton University's (59%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Music earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Bluffton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland Institute of Music and Bluffton University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Cleveland Institute of Music and Bluffton University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluffton University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 67%)

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.