Eastern vs. Bluffton University

Should I go to Eastern Kentucky University or Bluffton University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Eastern or Bluffton University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Eastern Kentucky University vs. Bluffton University comparison
Eastern Kentucky University Bluffton University College 3 College 4
Eastern Kentucky University Bluffton University
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Overview

Eastern Bluffton University
Location Richmond, KY Bluffton, OH
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 15,008 678
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #873
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eku.edu bluffton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Eastern Bluffton University
Tuition (In State) $9,830 $35,498
Tuition (Out of State) $20,520 $35,498
Room & Board $11,735 $11,866
Avg Net Price $10,852 $21,299
Avg Grant Aid $11,460 $29,291
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Eastern Bluffton University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,082 2,873
Admitted 13,340 1,757
Acceptance Rate 78.1% 61.2%
Enrolled % 20.9% 10.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 17/23
SAT Range 930/1190 920/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Eastern Bluffton University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

Eastern Bluffton University
Graduation Rate 38% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 49% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,695 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $245 $279

Diversity

Eastern Bluffton University
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 11% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 85%
% Black 6% 6%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Eastern Bluffton University
% In-State 92% 79%
% Out-of-State 8% 19%

Campus

Eastern Bluffton University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Kentucky University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (15,008 students vs. 678 students)

Eastern vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or Bluffton University?

  • Bluffton University is 261.1% more expensive to attend than Eastern for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $9,830.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 73% higher at Bluffton University than Eastern Kentucky University ($35,498.00 vs. $20,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than Bluffton University ($10,852 vs. $21,299)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 1.1% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($11,735 vs. $11,866)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 155.6% larger than aid received Eastern Kentucky University ($29,291 vs. $11,460)

Eastern vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern or Bluffton University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bluffton University or Eastern .

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Kentucky University (1028) is 56 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
  • Incoming Eastern students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Eastern students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)

Eastern vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Eastern or Bluffton University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bluffton University and Eastern.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Eastern Kentucky University (59% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $2,700 more per year than Eastern graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $37,900)
  • Eastern Kentucky University students graduate with a $3,305 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($23,695 vs. $27,000)
  • Eastern graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($245 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/