Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH with Bluefield State University in Bluefield, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bluefield State University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (1,141 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland Institute of Music is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Music 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 Cleveland Institute of Music ($15,814 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield State University are 30.7% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($11,512 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 396.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $42,232 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 187.8% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Bluefield State University (about $34,504 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $18,376.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Bluefield State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students is 217.8% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($31,191 vs. $9,814).

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland Institute of Music or Bluefield State 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 State University and Cleveland Institute of Music.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026; Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland Institute of Music and Bluefield State 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Music's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Bluefield State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Music earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Bluefield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.