Livingstone College vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC with Bluefield State University in Bluefield, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bluefield State University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (1,141 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

Livingstone College vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College or Bluefield State 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 Livingstone College than Bluefield State University ($12,826 vs. $15,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 41% lower than at Bluefield State University ($6,794 vs. $11,512).
• Livingstone College is 71.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $7,648 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Bluefield State University than at Livingstone College (about $80 more per year; $18,376.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Bluefield State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 57.8% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($15,485 vs. $9,814).

Livingstone College vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone College or Bluefield State 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 State University and Livingstone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bluefield State University (980) is 100 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Bluefield State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at Livingstone College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960; Bluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; Bluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield State University students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

Livingstone College vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone College and Bluefield State 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).

• Livingstone College's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Bluefield State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Bluefield State University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($31,800 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $23,000 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($19,000 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $238 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($196 vs. $434).
• More Bluefield State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 13%)

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.