Shawnee State University vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shawnee State University is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shawnee State University 12:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Shawnee State University vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University than Bluefield University ($13,996 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 24.2% lower than at Shawnee State University ($9,480 vs. $12,502).
• Bluefield University is 151.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shawnee State University (about $16,144 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $10,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.2% higher at Bluefield University than at Shawnee State University (about $9,412 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Shawnee State University (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 160.1% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($20,341 vs. $7,820).

Shawnee State University vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University.

• Shawnee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shawnee State University - Open admission; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Shawnee State University (3.3).

Shawnee State University vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $2,878 lower median loan debt than Shawnee State University graduates ($20,834 vs. $23,712).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shawnee State University graduates ($215 vs. $245).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 36%)

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.