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Bluefield State University
Admission at Bluefield State University is close to open (97.2%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $38,217 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Bluefield State University anchors the college town of Bluefield, WV, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $82,760 four years out. 44.4% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. Most of its 1,042 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 54.8% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 870 and 1080 — below the WV middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Bluefield State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Bluefield State University received 720 applications and admitted 628 (87.2%), with 216 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 870–1080 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Bluefield State University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 440 | 490 | 540 |
| SAT Math | 430 | 485 | 540 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 20 | 22 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Bluefield State University compares
| Bluefield State University | West Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 97.2% | 93.3% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $10,648 | $10,376 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $38,217 | $44,409 | $53,781 |
At $38,217, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($44,409). Look at Bluefield State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $10,648 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $18,376. For non-residents, Bluefield State University's $18,376 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
Enrollment sits at 1,042 — Bluefield State University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
Fewer than half of Bluefield State University students — 37% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at Bluefield State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $82,760 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $67,441 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,085 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,711 |
| Social Sciences, General | $40,355 |
Median earnings for these 5 Bluefield State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $38,217 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 10 additional Bluefield State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Bluefield State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 870–1080 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 97.2% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Bluefield State University's acceptance rate?
87.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 628 admitted from 720 applicants.
How much does Bluefield State University cost?
In-state tuition is $10,648; out-of-state students pay $18,376. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Bluefield State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $38,217 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in West Virginia
- Concord University — 92.6% admitted
- Davis & Elkins College — 94.3% admitted
- Fairmont State University — 98.6% admitted
- Marshall University — 95.7% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.