Menlo vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Menlo College in Atherton, CA with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bluefield University is larger than Menlo based on total student enrollment (959 students vs. 810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Menlo College is located in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Menlo College 14:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Menlo vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Menlo 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 Menlo ($22,216 vs. $32,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 48% lower than at Menlo College ($9,480 vs. $18,236).
• Menlo College is 100.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $26,860 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.3% higher at Menlo than at Bluefield University (about $26,860 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College than at Bluefield University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 92.6% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($39,174 vs. $20,341).

Menlo vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Menlo 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 Menlo.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Menlo - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Menlo (3.3).
• Menlo has a higher acceptance rate (68.5%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.3% at Menlo vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Menlo vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Menlo 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).

• Bluefield University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Menlo College's (34%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Bluefield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $228 lower median loan debt than Menlo graduates ($20,834 vs. $21,062).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Menlo graduates ($215 vs. $217).
• More Menlo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.