McDaniel College vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

McDaniel College vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel 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 McDaniel College ($22,216 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 26.9% lower than at McDaniel College ($9,480 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 94.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $25,311 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.5% higher at McDaniel College than at Bluefield University (about $25,311 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Bluefield University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 100.2% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($40,721 vs. $20,341).

McDaniel College vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McDaniel 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 McDaniel College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Bluefield University (3.31).
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

McDaniel College vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Bluefield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 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 McDaniel College graduates ($20,834 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($215 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.