67.23%

Acceptance Rate

$19,394

Avg.Financial Aid

003016

FAFSA Code

Bluffton University Report Card

Selectivity
67.2% acceptance rate
Academics
C+
53% graduation rate
Class Size
B-
11:1 student-faculty ratio
Value
B-
$37,362 tuition

Grades calculated by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES data. Methodology: How we grade →

Key Facts: Bluffton University

Institution
Bluffton University
Type
Private not-for-profit

Data compiled by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES and official university sources. Last verified July 2026. Citable source →

Bluffton University

  • Type Control of Institution - Public/Private

    Private, Not-For-Profit

  • Acceptance Rate:

    N/A

  • Level

    4 Years

  • Religious Affiliation Indicates religious affiliation (denomination) for private not-for-profit institutions that are religiously affiliated.

    Mennonite Church

  • Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which the quality of learning at various educational institutions are evaluated. Read More.

    HLC

  • Website

    www.bluffton.edu
  • Student Population Number of Students attending College

    582

  • On Campus Housing Does the institution provide on-campus housing?

    Yes

Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio serves around 800 students as a Mennonite institution with genuine commitment to service, peacebuilding, and intellectual engagement. This small residential college emphasizes learning community and character formation alongside academics. The liberal arts focus encourages genuine intellectual exploration. If you're pursuing nursing, business, or education, you'll find faculty committed to teaching excellence and mentorship. What distinguishes Bluffton is the explicit integration of Anabaptist values—peacemaking, service, community accountability—woven throughout the curriculum.

The community at Bluffton is genuinely countercultural in the best way. This is a place where everyone knows everyone else, where service and community responsibility are not optional, and where intellectual debate is valued. Your professors will challenge your thinking and expect you to engage seriously with ideas. Class sizes are tiny; discussion-based learning dominates. The Mennonite tradition emphasizes discernment and community wisdom; you're invited into genuine dialogue about meaning and purpose.

The residential experience at Bluffton is formative and real. Most students live on campus in intentional communities. Student life emphasizes service, relationships, and genuine engagement rather than party culture. The surrounding Bluffton community actively partners with the university; you'll find internship and volunteer opportunities woven into the region. The university offers strong financial aid. For students seeking small, values-centered liberal arts education with explicit service emphasis, genuine community accountability, and authentic Mennonite faith integration, Bluffton delivers transformative residential college experience.

Location & Contact

Address

1 University Drive, Bluffton, Ohio

Contact

Phone: (419) 358-3000
Find Your School

Rankings

It becomes easier for the aspirants to apply to a university and have their doubts regarding the same cleared if the university has a ranking. The ranking of a university is an important parameter by which a prospective student can decide whether they wish to take admission or not. Generally, the ranking of a university is considered a great way to gauge its performance on several factors, which include research excellence, the performance of the students after they complete their education, student experience, and most importantly academic success. The rankings by two well-known publications, US News and Forbes, are considered trustworthy by applicants and academic experts. However, it is to be noted that Bluffton University does not feature in the list of top colleges, according to the latest ranking by these publications.

Admissions

  • Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.

    Rolling Admissions

  • Acceptance Rate Percentage of applicants who are accepted in an Institution.

    67.23%

  • SAT Range

    870 - 1100

  • SAT/ACT

    Recommended

  • ACT Range

    18 - 25

  • High School GPA

    Required

  • Application Fee

    FALSE$

  • Accept Common App

    Yes

Admission to the university is easy and the students are recommeded to make the most out of it. The varsity has 3 admission thresholds. Along with the admission form, the students have to deposit a non-refundable fee to complete the application process. The SAT score in the range of 835-1050 would boost a student's chances of securing admission. The average ACT score at Bluffton University is 20. However, those getting an ACT score less than 18 might also be offered admission. As expected, the candidates can complete the process either online or by visiting the school's office at 1 University Drive, Bluffton, Ohio 45817-2104. To gather more information, they can call them at (419) 358-3000.

Annual Cost to Attend

  • Net Price Cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships received.

    $19,943

  • Average Annual Cost

    $37,362

Additional Costs:

  • Books And Supplies

    $47,566

  • Other Fees

    $450

  • Room And Board The charges for an academic year for Rooming accommodations and meals for a typical student.

    $10,800

  • Budget For Other Expenses

    $2,600

Total One Year Cost

$47,566

The next two things to keep in mind before applying to BU are the tuition fees and the cost of living during the course tenure. The full-time cost of attendance is approximately $48,033 per year. The average annual tuition cost ($33,736), books and supplies ($1,400), room and boarding ($11,124), and budget for other expenses ($4,000) are all included in this cost. Students can also explore numerous financial aid options offered by the university.

Academics

Highest Degree Offered The highest degree offered by the Institution.

Master's degree

Student:Faculty Ratio

11:1

Full-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

60%

Part-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

N/A

Academic Calendar

Semester

Research Funding per Student

N/A

Faculty Overview

52%

Male Professors

48%

Female Professors

Non-traditional Learning

Evening Degree Programs

Teacher Certification

Distance Education

Study Abroad

Majors

Most Popular Majors:

  • Human Resources Management and Serv...

    41 Graduates

  • Health and Physical Education/Fitne...

    27 Graduates

  • Business Administration, Management...

    25 Graduates

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    25 Graduates

  • Social Work

    18 Graduates

  • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Servi...

    17 Graduates

  • Special Education and Teaching

    11 Graduates

  • Accounting and Related Services

    9 Graduates

  • Social Work

    18 Graduates

  • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Servi...

    17 Graduates

  • Special Education and Teaching

    11 Graduates

  • Accounting and Related Services

    9 Graduates

  • Criminal Justice and Corrections

    8 Graduates

  • History

    6 Graduates

  • Mathematics

    6 Graduates

  • Biology, General

    5 Graduates

  • Chemistry

    5 Graduates

  • Computer and Information Sciences,...

    5 Graduates

  • English Language and Literature, Ge...

    4 Graduates

  • Marketing

    4 Graduates

  • Physics

    4 Graduates

  • Fine and Studio Arts

    3 Graduates

  • Psychology, General

    3 Graduates

  • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing St...

    3 Graduates

  • Communication and Media Studies

    2 Graduates

  • Music

    2 Graduates

  • Public Relations, Advertising, and...

    2 Graduates

  • Romance Languages, Literatures, and...

    2 Graduates

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    2 Graduates

  • Design and Applied Arts

    1 Graduates

  • Economics

    1 Graduates

  • Health/Medical Preparatory Programs

    1 Graduates

  • Human Development, Family Studies,...

    1 Graduates

  • Pastoral Counseling and Specialized...

    1 Graduates

  • Visual and Performing Arts, Other

    1 Graduates

Show More

Student Body

Undergraduate Students

700

Socio-Economic Diversity Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

37%

Full-time / Part-time

86% / 14%

Students Gender

Male

55%

US National: 44%

Female

45%

US National: 56%

LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS

ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER

Race/Ethnicity

White

76%

Unknown

5%

Black

9%

Hispanic

3%

Two or more races

4%

Non Resident alien

2%

Asian

1%

American Indian/Alaska native

0%

Native Hawaiians/Pacific islander

0%

Geographic Density

Geographic Density

High

0%

Unknown Location

15%

Out Of State

80%

In State

5%

Foreign

Economic Diversity

36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Median Household Income

$59,828 per year

Campus Life

Housing

The students can reside on campus and 94% of Freshman Live On-Campus.

On Campus Housing Available

Yes

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

No

Freshmen Live on Campus

94%

Undergrads in College Housing

N/A

Averege Housing Cost

$5,316/year

Campus Food

The institution has several dining and meal plan options available to students and the average meal plan cost is around $5,484/year.

Meal Plan Available

Yes

Average Meal Plan Available

$5,484/year

Athletes

Division Sports Nickname

J. Denny Beaver and Jenny Beaver

School Colors

royal purple and white

Varsity Athletics Association

NCAA

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary

Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

Total Male Athletes

245

Total Female Athletes

103

Intramural Sports

5

Sports Club

2

Sports Team (Men)

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Football

Golf

Soccer

Track and Field

Sports Team (Women)

Basketball

Cross Country

Golf

Soccer

Softball

Track and Field

Volleyball

Campus Security

The university additionally offers an on-campus housing facility for students who wish to dwell nearby. The normal expense for on-campus housing is $11,124 per year. Bluffton University has several dining and meal plan options for its students and the average meal plan at BU costs around $5,484 per year. The university considers the safety and security of its students to be paramount. At BU, campus safety and security features include campus emergency phones and mobile campus emergency alert. There are around 57% male and 43% female students enrolled at the university.

24-Hour Security Patrol

Campus Emergency Phones

24-Hour Escort Safety rides

Mobile Campus Emergency Alert

After Graduation

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$33,700/year

Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation

$39,000/year

Median Total Debt After Graduation The median cumulative federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated.

$21,208 - $31,000

Typical Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 4.53% interest rate.

$220 - $322

Outcomes 8 Years of Attending

Show data for students who

and started their studies

Out of 7,811 students

30% Graduated

10% Still Enrolled

15% Transfer

1% Withdraw

Financial Aid

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid.

100%

Average Aid Per Year

$19,394

Students Receiving Federal Grants

44%

Average Aid Per Year

$4,784

Students Receiving State Aid

29%

Average Aid Per Year

$2,744

Students Receiving Institutional Grants

100%

Average Aid Per Year

$16,502

Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income Aid awarded based on the family income.

Income

Average Amount

< $30K

$22,161

$30K - $48K

$21,256

$48K - $75K

$19,668

$75K - $110K

$18,522

> $110K

$17,496

Total Non-Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$2,309,026

The financial aid department of Bluffton University helps students by assisting them with scholarships, grants, and student loans in the event that they find the fees and the cost of living at the campus to be expensive. The average financial aid at Bluffton University is around $18,567 and the federal grant is $3,962. The university provides financial assistance in the form of state-level aid worth $2,499 and institutional aid worth $18,567. The total non-need-based scholarships/grants offered to students at Bluffton University add up to $2,309,026 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bluffton University

How hard is it to get into Bluffton University?

Bluffton University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 67.2%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

How much does Bluffton University cost?

Tuition at Bluffton University is approximately $37,362 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

How many students attend Bluffton University?

Bluffton University enrolls approximately 582 students across its programs.

What is the graduation rate at Bluffton University?

The graduation rate at Bluffton University is 53%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Bluffton University?

The student-faculty ratio at Bluffton University is 11:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

What SAT and ACT scores do I need for Bluffton University?

Bluffton University typically admits students with SAT scores in the range of 430-550 (Reading) and 430-580 (Math) and ACT composite scores of 16-22. Check the admissions office for the most current testing requirements and whether test-optional policies apply.

Is Bluffton University a public or private university?

Bluffton University is a private not-for-profit institution.

When is the application deadline for Bluffton University?

Application deadlines at Bluffton University vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

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