Bluefield State University

  • 3/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Bluefield, WV
  • 0 reviews
#3 Best Value Colleges in West Virginia

Overview

Total enrollment

1,141
Bluefield State University overview
Bluefield State University overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing No
  • Level of Study Undergrad

Located in the Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia, Bluefield State College is a public institution situated near the Virginia border in the city of Bluefield. The campus occupies a hilltop setting overlooking the surrounding mountain landscape, with academic buildings constructed throughout the 20th century. Founded in 1895 as a historically Black institution to educate African American students in the region, Bluefield State College has evolved into a predominantly commuter college serving a diverse student population. The college maintains a focus on career-oriented programs, with notable strengths in engineering technology, nursing, and business administration, while also offering traditional liberal arts degrees. Students primarily commute to campus, as the institution does not provide on-campus housing facilities.

Bluefield State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community. Explore all HBCUs

Ratings

Bluefield State University is rated within the lower 27% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    3 out of 10
  • Academics
    2 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    3 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Bluefield State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 870/1080
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 17/22
  • GPA 3.41

Acceptance Rate

97.2%
Bluefield State University applications overview
  • Applications Due Aug 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 32.8%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

West Virginia Resident Tuition

$10,648

Out of State Resident Tuition

$18,376

Breakdown

In State Costs for Bluefield State University
  • Tuition $10,648
  • Books and Supplies $1,500
  • Other Fees $1,000
  • Estimated Off Campus Cost of Living $11,512
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,600
  • Total One Year Cost $28,260

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$31,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

22% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Bluefield State University are Health Professions, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Engineering Technology. 29% of students major in Health Professions, 16% in Liberal Arts and Humanities, and 16% in Engineering Technology.

  • Health Professions 29%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 16%
  • Engineering Technology 16%
  • Business 11%
  • Education 9%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Bluefield State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237215.

GPA calculator: Bluefield State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026