Bluffton University vs. Kent State University at Salem

Should I go to Bluffton University or Kent State University at Salem? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bluffton University or Kent State University at Salem 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. Kent State University at Salem comparison
Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
Location Bluffton, OH Salem, OH
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 745 1,315
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bluffton.edu kent.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
Tuition (In State) $34,716 $6,962
Tuition (Out of State) $34,716 $16,068
Room & Board $11,602 $8,882
Avg Net Price $21,247 $10,324
Avg Grant Aid $28,214 $5,185
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 87%

Admission

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 -
Admitted 1,064 -
Acceptance Rate 96.3% Open
Enrolled % 15.2% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.27
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
Graduation Rate 59% 19%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,825
Median Loan Payment $279 $267

Diversity

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
% Men 49% 28%
% Women 51% 72%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 88%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
% In-State 79% 100%
% Out-of-State 19% 0%

Campus

 Bluffton University Kent State University at Salem
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Kent State University at Salem is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (1,315 students vs. 745 students)

Bluffton University vs. Kent State University at Salem Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluffton University or Kent State University at Salem?

  • Bluffton University is 398.6% more expensive to attend than Kent State University at Salem for in-state tuition ($34,716.00 vs. $6,962.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 116.1% higher at Bluffton University than Kent State University at Salem ($34,716.00 vs. $16,068.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kent State University at Salem than Bluffton University ($10,324 vs. $21,247)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 30.6% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($8,882 vs. $11,602)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Kent State University at Salem (100% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 444.1% larger than aid received Kent State University at Salem ($28,214 vs. $5,185)

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

  • Accepted freshman Kent State University at Salem students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)

Bluffton University vs. Kent State University at Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bluffton University or Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem and Bluffton University.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Kent State University at Salem (59% vs. 19%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $300 more per year than Kent State University at Salem graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $40,300)
  • Kent State University at Salem students graduate with a $1,175 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($25,825 vs. $27,000)
  • Kent State University at Salem graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($267 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 46%)

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