PublicTownHBCU

Bluefield State University

Bluefield, West Virginia 24701-2198

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesTight-knitCollege townHBCU

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Bluefield State University is a public town institution in Bluefield, West Virginia. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 998.

A small campus of 1.2K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

35% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,217 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,529.

Established

1895

Motto

"Accept The Challenge"

Mascot

Sir Blue

Type

Public historically black university

Conference

now defunct West Virginia

Division

Division II

Plan Your Visit

87%Acceptance

998SAT Avg

1,231Students

17:1Student:Faculty

35%Grad Rate

$38,217Earnings 10yr

$12,529Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate87.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 998

Reading & WritingMid: 500

440540

MathMid: 495

430540

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 20

1722

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,240

Tuition (out-of-state)$17,560

Room & Board$11,327

Books & Supplies$1,200

Total Cost of Attendance$20,747

Average Net Price$12,529

Median Debt at Graduation$18,250

Monthly Payment (10yr)$193

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,971

$30–48K$11,213

$48–75K$11,772

$75–110K$16,204

$110K+$15,428

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

47.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,038

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (26)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

55%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads

1,231

Gender Split

60% / 40%

Women / Men

First Generation

49%

Pell Grant Recipients

41%

Race & Ethnicity

White 72%

Black 17%

Hispanic 4%

Two+ 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate34.6%

Freshman Retention55.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$35,030

10 Years$38,217

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

WrestlingBasketball teamsGolfTennisVolleyball

History & Fun Facts

•History The Bluefield Colored Institute was founded in 1895 as a "high-graded school" for African Americans.
•Principal Hamilton Hatter supervised the first class of 40 pupils.
•In 1909, the institute became a normal school, adding the training of teachers to its curriculum.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

87Low

Estimated from WV state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K

143 mi(248 min)

Raleighpop. 470K

177 mi(307 min)

Columbuspop. 900K

209 mi(362 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte143 mi

RDU Raleigh-Durham166 mi

CMH Columbus209 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA644 mi · ~18h 36m drive

New York, NY455 mi · ~13h 9m drive

Hartford, CT552 mi · ~15h 57m drive

Providence, RI610 mi · ~17h 37m drive

Albany, NY543 mi · ~15h 41m drive

Syracuse, NY481 mi · ~13h 54m drive

Rochester, NY450 mi · ~13h drive

Buffalo, NY408 mi · ~11h 47m drive

Philadelphia, PA377 mi · ~10h 53m drive

Pittsburgh, PA229 mi · ~6h 37m drive

Harrisburg, PA313 mi · ~9h 3m drive

Newark, NJ449 mi · ~12h 58m drive

Washington, DC255 mi · ~7h 22m drive

Baltimore, MD287 mi · ~8h 17m drive

Atlanta, GA301 mi · ~8h 42m drive

Charlotte, NC143 mi · ~4h 8m drive

Raleigh, NC177 mi · ~5h 7m drive

Miami, FL797 mi · ~23h 1m drive

Orlando, FL603 mi · ~17h 25m drive

Tampa, FL647 mi · ~18h 41m drive

Nashville, TN316 mi · ~9h 8m drive

New Orleans, LA716 mi · ~20h 41m drive

Richmond, VA210 mi · ~6h 4m drive

Chicago, IL466 mi · ~13h 28m drive

Detroit, MI363 mi · ~10h 29m drive

Minneapolis, MN820 mi · ~23h 41m drive

St. Louis, MO497 mi · ~14h 21m drive

Kansas City, MO735 mi · ~21h 14m drive

Indianapolis, IN317 mi · ~9h 9m drive

Columbus, OH209 mi · ~6h 2m drive

Cleveland, OH294 mi · ~8h 30m drive

Milwaukee, WI532 mi · ~15h 22m drive

Dallas, TX932 mi · ~26h 55m drive

Houston, TX964 mi · ~27h 51m drive

Austin, TX1062 mi · ~30h 41m drive

San Antonio, TX1131 mi · ~32h 40m drive

Los Angeles, CA2076 mi · ~59h 58m drive

San Francisco, CA2238 mi · ~64h 39m drive

San Diego, CA2045 mi · ~59h 5m drive

Seattle, WA2185 mi · ~63h 7m drive

Portland, OR2196 mi · ~63h 26m drive

Denver, CO1292 mi · ~37h 19m drive

Phoenix, AZ1750 mi · ~50h 33m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1655 mi · ~47h 49m drive

Honolulu, HI4626 mi · ~133h 38m drive

Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby accommodations

$80-150/night

< 10 mi

Deadline Calendar

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