The Catholic University of America vs. Bluefield State University

Deciding between The Catholic University of America and Bluefield State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The Catholic University of America

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • Bluefield State University Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • Bluefield State University 1,141
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • Bluefield State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Bluefield State University #969
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The Catholic University of America Roman Catholic
  • Bluefield State University -
  • Status
  • The Catholic University of America Non-profit
  • Bluefield State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Bluefield State University
  • Admission Chances
  • The Catholic University of America My Chances
  • Bluefield State University My Chances

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Bluefield State University $10,648
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Bluefield State University $18,376
  • Room & Board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • Bluefield State University $11,512
  • Average Net Price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • Bluefield State University $15,814
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • Bluefield State University $9,814
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • Bluefield State University 97%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • The Catholic University of America My Chances
  • Bluefield State University My Chances
  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • Bluefield State University 687
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • Bluefield State University 668
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • Bluefield State University 97.2%
  • Enrolled
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • Bluefield State University 32.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Bluefield State University 980
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Bluefield State University 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • Bluefield State University 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • Bluefield State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • Bluefield State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Bluefield State University
  • ACT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Bluefield State University 17/22
  • SAT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Bluefield State University 870/1080
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • Bluefield State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • Bluefield State University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Bluefield State University
    • Health Professions (29%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Engineering Technology (16%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Education (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • Bluefield State University 22%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • Bluefield State University $31,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • Bluefield State University 30%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • Bluefield State University $19,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • Bluefield State University $196

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The Catholic University of America 48%
  • Bluefield State University 40%
  • % Women
  • The Catholic University of America 52%
  • Bluefield State University 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The Catholic University of America Medium
  • Bluefield State University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Bluefield State University Yes
  • % White
  • The Catholic University of America 64%
  • Bluefield State University 85%
  • % Asian
  • The Catholic University of America 3%
  • Bluefield State University 1%
  • % Black
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Bluefield State University 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • The Catholic University of America 13%
  • Bluefield State University 1%
  • % Native American
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Bluefield State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Bluefield State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Bluefield State University 1%
  • % International
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Bluefield State University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The Catholic University of America 4%
  • Bluefield State University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The Catholic University of America 8%
  • Bluefield State University 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The Catholic University of America 84%
  • Bluefield State University 32%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Bluefield State University No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Bluefield State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Bluefield State University No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Bluefield State University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Bluefield State University No
  • Learn More
  • The Catholic University of America Details
  • Bluefield State University Details

Comparable Facts

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

The Catholic University of America is larger than Bluefield State University based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 1,141 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or Bluefield State 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 State University than The Catholic University of America ($15,814 vs. $32,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield State University are 36.7% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($11,512 vs. $18,200).
  • The Catholic University of America is 448.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $47,730 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $10,648.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 217.7% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Bluefield State University (about $40,002 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $18,376.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Bluefield State University (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 334.7% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($42,657 vs. $9,814).

The Catholic University of America vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Bluefield State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bluefield State University and The Catholic University of America.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresBluefield State University 870/1080.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresBluefield State University 17/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027; Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Bluefield State University (3.41).
  • Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than The Catholic University of America (82.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Bluefield State University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bluefield State University's (22%).
  • Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $26,800 more per year than Bluefield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $7,106 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,106).
  • Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($196 vs. $269).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 30%)

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.