Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($22,216 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 19.7% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($9,480 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 109.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $29,306 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.5% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Bluefield University (about $29,306 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Bluefield University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 103.8% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($41,450 vs. $20,341).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Bluefield University (3.31).
• Gustavus Adolphus College has a higher acceptance rate (61%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Bluefield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $6,166 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($20,834 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($215 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.