The Catholic University of America vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University than The Catholic University of America ($22,216 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 47.9% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($9,480 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 118.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $31,608 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.1% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Bluefield University (about $31,608 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Bluefield University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 109.7% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($42,657 vs. $20,341).

The Catholic University of America vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University and The Catholic University of America.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Bluefield University (3.31).
• The Catholic University of America has a higher acceptance rate (82.8%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

The Catholic University of America vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Bluefield University? 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).

• The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Bluefield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $5,272 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($20,834 vs. $26,106).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($215 vs. $269).
• More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 51%)

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.