Bluffton University vs. Marshall University

Should I go to Bluffton University or Marshall University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bluffton University or Marshall University 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. Marshall University comparison
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Bluffton University Marshall University
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Overview

Bluffton University Marshall University
Location Bluffton, OH Huntington, WV
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 678 11,027
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #825
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bluffton.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bluffton University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $35,498 $7,372
Tuition (Out of State) $35,498 $18,724
Room & Board $11,866 $12,852
Avg Net Price $21,299 $9,734
Avg Grant Aid $29,291 $12,024
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Bluffton University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,873 6,499
Admitted 1,757 6,269
Acceptance Rate 61.2% 96.5%
Enrolled % 10.8% 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.68
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 890/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2026

Academics

Bluffton University Marshall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Bluffton University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 59% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $279 $239

Diversity

Bluffton University Marshall University
% Men 4% 9%
% Women 7% 17%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 84%
% Black 6% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Bluffton University Marshall University
% In-State 79% 78%
% Out-of-State 19% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Marshall University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (11,027 students vs. 678 students)

Bluffton University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluffton University or Marshall University?

  • Bluffton University is 381.5% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $7,372.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.6% higher at Bluffton University than Marshall University ($35,498.00 vs. $18,724.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Bluffton University ($9,734 vs. $21,299)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 8.3% lower than costs at Marshall University ($11,866 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Marshall University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 143.6% larger than aid received Marshall University ($29,291 vs. $12,024)

Bluffton University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 56 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)

Bluffton University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bluffton University or Marshall University? 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 Marshall University and Bluffton University.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Marshall University (59% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $400 more per year than Marshall University graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $40,200)
  • Marshall University students graduate with a $3,866 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($23,134 vs. $27,000)
  • Marshall University graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($239 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 43%)

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