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Bluffton University

Bluffton, Ohio 45817-2104

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedTight-knitRural

Known for business — close-knit campus

Bluffton University is a private institution in Bluffton with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1020, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 595 undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

50% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $49,547 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,430.

Established
1899
Motto
The Truth Makes Free
Mascot
J. Denny and Jenny Beaver
Type
Private university
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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61%Acceptance
1020SAT Avg
595Students
10:1Student:Faculty
50%Grad Rate
$49,547Earnings 10yr
$17,430Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate61.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1020

Reading & Writing
480560
Math
440570

ACT Score Range

Composite
1723

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$36,298
Room & Board$11,866
Books & Supplies$1,600
Total Cost of Attendance$50,579
Average Net Price$17,430
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,521
$30–48K$16,667
$48–75K$18,013
$75–110K$23,361
$110K+$13,482

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

24.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

3

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (55)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

67%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
595
Gender Split
43% / 57%
Women / Men
First Generation
33%
Pell Grant Recipients
37%

Race & Ethnicity

White 67%
Black 19%
Hispanic 3%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate49.5%
Freshman Retention67.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$41,940
10 Years$49,547

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

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History The university was founded as Central Mennonite College by the General Conference Mennonite Church in 1899.
  • When the first president, Noah Hirschy, resigned in 1908, the college had only one building.
  • In 1913, under President Samuel Mosiman (1910–1935), the college reorganized as Bluffton College with support from five Mennonite groups.
  • The first baccalaureate degrees were confirmed in 1915.
  • In 1929, the college had a seemingly successful fundraising drive in an effort to increase its endowment to $500,000 and qualify for accreditation from the North Central Association.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

89Low

Estimated from OH state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K
80 mi(139 min)
Detroitpop. 640K
109 mi(189 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
122 mi(211 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CMH Columbus82 mi
DTW Detroit95 mi
CLE Cleveland112 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA670 mi · ~19h 21m drive
New York, NY517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Hartford, CT585 mi · ~16h 54m drive
Providence, RI650 mi · ~18h 47m drive
Albany, NY536 mi · ~15h 29m drive
Syracuse, NY425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Rochester, NY359 mi · ~10h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY293 mi · ~8h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA464 mi · ~13h 24m drive
Pittsburgh, PA207 mi · ~5h 59m drive
Harrisburg, PA370 mi · ~10h 41m drive
Newark, NJ509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Washington, DC389 mi · ~11h 14m drive
Baltimore, MD401 mi · ~11h 35m drive
Atlanta, GA495 mi · ~14h 18m drive
Charlotte, NC425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Raleigh, NC454 mi · ~13h 7m drive
Miami, FL1067 mi · ~30h 49m drive
Orlando, FL866 mi · ~25h 1m drive
Tampa, FL898 mi · ~25h 57m drive
Nashville, TN362 mi · ~10h 27m drive
New Orleans, LA832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Richmond, VA416 mi · ~12h 1m drive
Chicago, IL205 mi · ~5h 55m drive
Detroit, MI109 mi · ~3h 9m drive
Minneapolis, MN551 mi · ~15h 55m drive
St. Louis, MO369 mi · ~10h 40m drive
Kansas City, MO578 mi · ~16h 42m drive
Indianapolis, IN142 mi · ~4h 6m drive
Columbus, OH80 mi · ~2h 19m drive
Cleveland, OH122 mi · ~3h 31m drive
Milwaukee, WI254 mi · ~7h 20m drive
Dallas, TX906 mi · ~26h 10m drive
Houston, TX1003 mi · ~28h 59m drive
Austin, TX1067 mi · ~30h 49m drive
San Antonio, TX1141 mi · ~32h 58m drive
Los Angeles, CA1928 mi · ~55h 42m drive
San Francisco, CA2053 mi · ~59h 19m drive
San Diego, CA1912 mi · ~55h 14m drive
Seattle, WA1936 mi · ~55h 56m drive
Portland, OR1959 mi · ~56h 36m drive
Denver, CO1111 mi · ~32h 6m drive
Phoenix, AZ1626 mi · ~46h 58m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1457 mi · ~42h 5m drive
Honolulu, HI4448 mi · ~128h 30m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Bluffton University Application Checklist

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