Marian vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Marian University in Indianapolis, IN with Bluefield State University in Bluefield, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Marian University is larger than Bluefield State University based on total student enrollment (3,486 students vs. 1,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

Marian vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian 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 Bluefield State University than Marian ($15,814 vs. $22,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield State University are 16.9% lower than at Marian University ($11,512 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 281.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $30,016 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.3% higher at Marian than at Bluefield State University (about $22,288 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $18,376.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Marian University as at Bluefield State University (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 229.6% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($32,351 vs. $9,814).

Marian vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian 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 Marian.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027; Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marian students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Bluefield State University (3.41).
• Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Marian (95.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

Marian vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian 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).

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Bluefield State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Bluefield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Marian graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 30%)

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.