DSC vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

DSC vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than Bluefield University ($5,625 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 9% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,480 vs. $10,419).
• Bluefield University is 702.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $23,434 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.2% higher at Bluefield University than at Dalton State College (about $16,114 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Dalton State College (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 205.7% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($20,341 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC 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 DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC 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).

• Bluefield University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $5,947 lower median loan debt than Bluefield University graduates ($14,887 vs. $20,834).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bluefield University graduates ($153 vs. $215).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 42%)

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.