Dean College vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dean College is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (1,092 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Dean College vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College 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 Dean College ($22,216 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 52.3% lower than at Dean College ($9,480 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 73.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $19,756 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.8% higher at Dean College than at Bluefield University (about $19,756 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Bluefield University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 62% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($32,958 vs. $20,341).

Dean College vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College 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 Dean College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Dean College has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Dean College vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $4,481 lower median loan debt than Bluefield University graduates ($16,353 vs. $20,834).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bluefield University graduates ($169 vs. $215).
• More Dean College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.