Bluffton University vs. ONU

Should I go to Bluffton University or Ohio Northern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bluffton University or ONU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Bluffton University vs. Ohio Northern University comparison
Bluffton University Ohio Northern University College 3 College 4
Bluffton University Ohio Northern University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Bluffton University ONU
Location Bluffton, OH Ada, OH
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 745 3,015
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #211
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bluffton.edu onu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bluffton University ONU
Tuition (In State) $34,716 $35,480
Tuition (Out of State) $34,716 $35,480
Room & Board $11,602 $12,900
Avg Net Price $21,247 $27,398
Avg Grant Aid $28,214 $24,235
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

Bluffton University ONU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 6,625
Admitted 1,064 3,602
Acceptance Rate 96.3% 54.4%
Enrolled % 15.2% 18.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.78
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30
SAT Range 1160/1340
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 15, 2025

Academics

Bluffton University ONU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

Bluffton University ONU
Graduation Rate 59% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $71,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Bluffton University ONU
% Men 49% 52%
% Women 51% 48%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 84%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Bluffton University ONU
% In-State 79% 83%
% Out-of-State 19% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ohio Northern University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (3,015 students vs. 745 students)

Bluffton University vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluffton University or ONU?

  • Ohio Northern University is 2.2% more expensive to attend than Bluffton University for in-state tuition ($35,480.00 vs. $34,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.2% higher at ONU than Bluffton University ($35,480.00 vs. $34,716.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bluffton University than ONU ($21,247 vs. $27,398)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 11.2% lower than costs at Ohio Northern University ($11,602 vs. $12,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 16.4% larger than aid received Ohio Northern University ($28,214 vs. $24,235)

Bluffton University vs. ONU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ohio Northern University (1158) is 186 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
  • Incoming ONU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • Bluffton University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than ONU (54.4%)

Bluffton University vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at ONU is higher than Bluffton University (65% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn on average $30,600 more per year than Bluffton University graduates after ten years. ($71,200 vs. $40,600)
  • Ohio Northern University and Bluffton University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Ohio Northern University and Bluffton University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluffton University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 67%)

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