Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Bluefield University #1078 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,783 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 37.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Bluefield University #1365 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting outcomes for students across income levels. --- Azimuth ranks Bluefield University among the top private four-year institutions for overall value, with graduates seeing meaningful financial outcomes relative to cost. The university's mobility ranking highlights its ability to support students from diverse backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks Bluefield University #1078 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 27.7 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Bluefield, VA, Bluefield University enrolls roughly 614 undergraduates. Retention is 61.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 17.8%, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion. Where Bluefield University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Bluefield University #1099 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 25.7 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,206, placing Bluefield University in the 12.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,783 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Bluefield University in the 37.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Business, which anchors the earnings profile and reflects the student body's career focus. 51.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 42.5% are first-generation college students, positioning Bluefield University as an accessible option for families seeking strong long-term financial outcomes without the cost structure of higher-priced private institutions.
Bluefield University's published cost of attendance is $42,539. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $25,807, middle-income families pay around $25,732, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,430. Azimuth ranks Bluefield University #874 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Bluefield University structures financial aid through need-based and merit-based pathways. Families apply using the FAFSA and institutional aid forms to access need-based aid, federal grants, and loans. Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students, and work-study is offered as part of the aid package. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's aid commitment — see the net price illusion for how sticker price and actual family cost diverge. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,855, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,200; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,206, median federal debt of $21,855 projects to a monthly payment of about $247 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Bluefield University is a private nonprofit institution in Bluefield, VA that offers a focused program mix in Business and related fields — a good fit for students seeking a smaller-college experience in the South region with a career-oriented curriculum. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,206, placing Bluefield University in the 12.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,783 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 37.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 51.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 42.5% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates of 42.6% for Pell recipients. Published cost of attendance is $25,430, and median federal debt at graduation is $21,855. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 59.3% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a focused academic experience with measurable post-graduation value.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Bluefield University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
15 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
42 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
28 graduates
Human Services, General
26 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
12 graduates
Bluefield University's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 42 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice, Human Services, General, Nursing, and Kinesiology.
The institution's dominant concentration in Business — representing 24% of degrees — reflects a focused portfolio aligned with direct workforce entry and applied professional outcomes. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in the institution's core business and professional programs.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $91,278 four years after enrollment across 15 graduates, followed by Business Administration with $63,715 and Criminal Justice with $56,811. These programs represent the institution's economic core, where enrollment scale and earnings outcomes align to create meaningful workforce impact.
Human Services, General and Kinesiology round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $43,789 and $41,595 respectively. Bluefield University graduates enter high-mobility career pathways where four-year earnings reflect direct labor-market outcomes.
The concentration in business, accounting, finance, and management fields positions graduates for stable employment in sectors with consistent hiring demand and wage growth. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with national labor-market trends and long-term career sustainability.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Bluefield University's published cost of attendance is $42,539. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $25,807, middle-income families pay around $25,732, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,430.
Azimuth ranks Bluefield University #874 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Bluefield University structures financial aid through need-based and merit-based pathways. Families apply using the FAFSA and institutional aid forms to access need-based aid, federal grants, and loans.
Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students, and work-study is offered as part of the aid package. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's aid commitment — see the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) for how sticker price and actual family cost diverge.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,855, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,200; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,206, median federal debt of $21,855 projects to a monthly payment of about $247 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Bluefield University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,206, placing Bluefield University in the 12.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,783 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Bluefield University in the 37.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Bluefield University #1099 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Bluefield University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 42 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $63,715, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Criminal Justice program graduates 28 students earning $56,811, while Human Services, General and Nursing round out the top programs with 26 and 15 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor the institution's outcomes in fields where employers actively recruit and career pathways remain stable over the long term.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State University Higher acceptance rate (25.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 75 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NC | 89% | $51,836 | Compare |
Salem College Higher acceptance rate (24.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 98 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NC | 87% | $44,640 | Compare |
Emory & Henry University Higher acceptance rate (33.6 percentage points higher) and located 46 miles away; similar graduate earnings | VA | 96% | $47,385 | Compare |
Southern Virginia University Higher acceptance rate (36.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 100% | $50,002 | Compare |
Palm Beach Atlantic University Higher acceptance rate (25.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | FL | 88% | $49,232 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Waynesburg University Similar quality tier (#30554 ranked) | PA | 90% | $58,537 | #30554 | Compare |
Union Adventist University Similar quality tier (#30556 ranked) | NE | 100% | $55,045 | #30556 | Compare |
Spartanburg Methodist College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30545 ranked) | SC | 78% | $42,895 | #30545 | Compare |
Scripps College Similar quality tier (#30563 ranked) | CA | 38% | $77,539 | #30563 | Compare |
Tennessee Wesleyan University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30542 ranked) | TN | 69% | $45,989 | #30542 | Compare |
