Saginaw Valley State University vs. Bluffton University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI with Bluffton University in Bluffton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 646 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Bluffton University is in Bluffton, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluffton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Bluffton University 11:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Bluffton University ($11,546 vs. $20,429).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 1% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($12,220 vs. $12,340).
• Bluffton University is 189% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $24,432 more per year; $37,362.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at Bluffton University than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $6,912 more per year; $37,362.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluffton University than at Saginaw Valley State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 133% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($31,481 vs. $13,512).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Bluffton University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State University or Bluffton University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bluffton University and Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Saginaw Valley State University (1050) is 50 points higher than at Bluffton University (1000).
• Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Bluffton University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; Bluffton University 860/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26; Bluffton University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; Bluffton University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Bluffton University (3.26).
• Saginaw Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.1%) than Bluffton University (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 9% at Bluffton University.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State University and Bluffton University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bluffton University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Bluffton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluffton University and Saginaw Valley State University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bluffton University and Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 48%)

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.