Marian vs. Bluffton University

Comparable Facts

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

Marian University is larger than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (3,486 students vs. 646 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Bluffton University is in Bluffton, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluffton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Bluffton University 11:1.

Marian vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian or Bluffton 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 Bluffton University than Marian ($20,429 vs. $22,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 11.8% lower than at Marian University ($12,220 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluffton University (about $3,302 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $37,362.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at Marian than at Bluffton University (about $3,302 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $37,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluffton University than at Marian University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Bluffton University students ($32,351 vs. $31,481).

Marian vs. Bluffton University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian or Bluffton 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 Bluffton University and Marian.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluffton University 860/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluffton University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian - Test-free; Bluffton University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marian students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Bluffton University (3.26).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Bluffton University (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 9% at Bluffton University.

Marian vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian and Bluffton 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).

• Bluffton University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Marian University's (58%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Bluffton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluffton University and Marian graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bluffton University and Marian graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marian students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 57%)

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.