Bluffton University
Bluffton University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bluffton University at a Glance
Bluffton University is a private Mennonite university in Bluffton, Ohio, United States. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with three programs that have earned programmatic accreditation: education, nursing and social work. The university has more than ninety majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs, and eighteen NCAA Division III athletic teams and a co-ed esports team.
1899
127 years old
$24M
$23,521,163
745
55
234 acres
Identity
Is Bluffton University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Bluffton University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,547 — 8% below average — while paying $19,943/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Bluffton University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Bluffton University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #19 of 80 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #3 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #4 | Gods Bible School and College | 46 | $9,329 | $37,722 |
| #5 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #6 | Louisiana Christian University | 42 | $13,113 | $51,700 |
| #19 | Bluffton University | 32 | $19,943 | $49,547 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bluffton University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in OH.
Best Programs at Bluffton University
The highest-earning program at Bluffton University is Human Resources Management and Services at $39,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $27,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Human Resources Management and Services graduate from Bluffton University earns $39,900, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $27,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Human Resources Management and Services graduates carry $21,208 in median debt vs. $24,381 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,943/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Management and Services | $39,900 | $39,900 | $21,208 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,200 | $39,200 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $33,000 | $33,000 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,100 | $32,100 | $31,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,100 | $27,100 | $24,381 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bluffton, OH
- Student Body
- 582 students
- Admission Rate
- 67%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,943
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,547
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000