Defiance College vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

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

Bluefield University is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (959 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Defiance College is located in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Defiance College 11:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Defiance College vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Defiance 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 Defiance College ($22,216 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 24.8% lower than at Defiance College ($9,480 vs. $12,606).
• Defiance College is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $2,550 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at Defiance College than at Bluefield University (about $2,550 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Defiance College than at Bluefield University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($27,024 vs. $20,341).

Defiance College vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Defiance College - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• Bluefield University has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Defiance College vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Defiance College vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Defiance 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).

• Defiance College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Defiance College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $6,166 lower median loan debt than Defiance College graduates ($20,834 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($215 vs. $279).
• More Defiance College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.