Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH
Bluffton, founded in 1899, is a church-affiliated, liberal arts college. Its 65-acre campus, with some buildings dating from 1900, is located in Bluffton, 15 miles from Lima.
Website: www.bluffton.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Moderately difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 49% of 1,767 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Regular Admission Deadline
- Rolling
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- 3.30
- SAT Math
- Not reported
- SAT EBRW
- Not reported
- ACT Composite
- 21 average
18-24 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- $47,566
- Tuition and Fees
- $32,766
- Room and Board
- $10,800
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 74%
- Average Freshman Award
- $26,786
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $36,796
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 50
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 13% of classes
10-19 students: 21% of classes
20-29 students: 10% of classes
30-39 students: 5% of classes
40-49 students: 2% of classes
Over 100 students: 50% of classes
Campus Life
- Bluffton Population
- 4,027
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Dayton
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 80% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Beavers
- Sororities
- Fraternities
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.3% American Indian/Alaskan Native
0.5% Asian
8.8% Black/African-American
3.9% Hispanic/Latino
3.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
80.4% White
2.3% Unknown - International Students
- 1.3% from 8 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 67.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 45.2%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 77%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 25.0%
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Moderately Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT I or over 18 on the ACT; about 85% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
- College preparatory program is recommended
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | |
Mathematics | 3 | |
Science | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 3 | |
Social Studies | 3 | |
History | ||
Academic Electives |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | August 24 |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
SAT Subject Tests Only | ||
SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: Not used ACT: Not used |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- 1 University Drive
- City, State, Zip
- Bluffton, OH 45817
- Phone
- (419) 358-3257
- Fax
- (419) 358-3232
- admissions@bluffton.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- Rolling
- Application Fee
- No fee required
- Application Fee Waiver
- Not reported
- Regular Admission Notification
- Rolling
- Accept Offer of Admission
- Not reported
- Waiting List Used
- No
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Early Decision Deadline
- Early Decision Notification
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Required for some freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- 1 required for all freshmen
- Other
- Rank in upper 50% of high school class or minimum ACT score of 19 required for freshmen
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 49% of 1,767 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 56% of 641 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 45% of 1,126 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 216 (25%) of 863 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 92 (26%) of 358 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 124 (25%) of 505 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- Students Admitted From Wait List
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- 3.30
- 3.75 and Above
- Not reported
- 3.50 - 3.74
- Not reported
- 3.25 - 3.49
- Not reported
- 3.00 - 3.24
- Not reported
- 2.50 - 2.99
- Not reported
- 2.00 - 2.49
- Not reported
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- Not reported
- Score of 700 - 800
- Not reported
- Score of 600 - 700
- Not reported
- Score of 500 - 600
- Not reported
- Score of 400 - 500
- Not reported
- Score of 300 - 400
- Not reported
- Score of 200 - 300
- Not reported
- SAT EBRW
- Not reported
- Score of 700 - 800
- Not reported
- Score of 600 - 700
- Not reported
- Score of 500 - 600
- Not reported
- Score of 400 - 500
- Not reported
- Score of 300 - 400
- Not reported
- Score of 200 - 300
- Not reported
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 21 average
18-24 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 3%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 28%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 53%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 17%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 11%
Top quarter: 34%
Top half: 64% - National Merit Scholar
- Not reported
- Valedictorian
- 3%
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- 11%
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- $47,566
- Tuition and Fees
- $32,766
- Room and Board
- $10,800
- Books and Supplies
- $1,400
- Other Expenses
- $2,600
- Payment Plans
- Installment plan
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- Priority deadline May 1
Final deadline October 1 - Award Notification
- On a rolling basis beginning November 1
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 003016 |
Free |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 202 (95.7%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 188 (93.1%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 188 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 29 (15.4%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 74%
- Average Award
- $26,786
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 187 (99.5%) of aid recipients, average amount $22,692
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 169 (89.9%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,688
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 19 (10.1%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 18 (8.5%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $16,096
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 614 (91.5%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 575 (93.7%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 575 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 80 (13.9%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 75%
- Average Award
- $27,173
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 572 (99.5%) of aid recipients, average amount $21,925
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 516 (89.7%) of aid recipients, average amount $5,974
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 51 (8.9%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 86 (12.8%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $16,395
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 83%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $36,796
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- 25.0%
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- 2.0%
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans
- State Loans
- Other Loans
- Alternative loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- Academic scholarships, Creative arts/performance scholarships, Special achievements/activities, Special characteristics (minority, religious affiliation, other scholarships)
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Premedicine
- Number of Awards
- 655
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Art/Fine Arts, Music, Performing Arts
- Number of Awards
- 48
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Leadership
- Number of Awards
- 7
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Children and Siblings of Alumni, Children of Faculty/Staff, International Students, Members of Minorities, Out-of-State Students, Religious Affiliation
- Number of Awards
- 383
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- $2,306
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- Accounting
- Art Therapy/Therapist
- Art/Art Studies, General
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Broadcast Journalism
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Chemistry, General
- Child Development
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Economics, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
- Graphic Design
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- History, General
- Information Technology
- Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General
- Mathematics, General
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Music Teacher Education
- Music, General
- Organizational Behavior Studies
- Physics, General
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Psychology, General
- Public Health, General
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Social Sciences, General
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
- Sports Communication
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Visual and Performing Arts, Other
- Writing, General
- Youth Ministry
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Business/marketing, Education, Parks and recreation
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- None
- Special Programs
- Accelerated program, Student-designed major, Distance learning, Double major, English as a second language, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- No online degree programs
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Not required
- Math/Science
- Required for all students
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50
- Part-Time Faculty
- 49
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 34%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 13% of classes
10-19 students: 21% of classes
20-29 students: 10% of classes
30-39 students: 5% of classes
40-49 students: 2% of classes
Over 100 students: 50% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- 2-9 students: 29% of discussion sections/labs
10-19 students: 21% of discussion sections/labs
Over 100 students: 50% of discussion sections/labs
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- 404,610
- Computer Ownership
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- 175
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Master of Arts in Education
Master's Programs of Study
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Education--General
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Reading Education
- Special Education
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Not reported
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Not reported
Location and Setting
- Bluffton Population
- 4,027
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Dayton
- Campus Size
- 65 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 14.9 average low in January, 79.8 average high in September
- Rain
- 135 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 20 mile(s) from campus in Lima
- Nearest Train Station
- 35 mile(s) from campus in Fostoria
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Men only housing, women only housing, coed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 80% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Students required to live on campus through senior year
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 20%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Not available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Not available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
- night security guards
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Beavers
- School Colors
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Baseball | x | |||
Basketball | x | x | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Football | x | |||
Golf | x | x | ||
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | |||
Track And Field | x | x | ||
Volleyball | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Football | ||
Golf | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | x | |
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Football | x | |
Golf | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | ||
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball |
- Women's Club Sports
- Men's Club Sports
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- basketball, bowling, football, golf, softball, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, marbeck center board, multicultural student organization, bluffton education association, fellowship of christian athletes, bluffton university business leaders
- Sororities
- Fraternities
- ROTC
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 748
- Women
- 371 (49.6%)
- Men
- 377 (50.4%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 669
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.3% American Indian/Alaskan Native
0.5% Asian
8.8% Black/African-American
3.9% Hispanic/Latino
3.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
80.4% White
2.3% Unknown - International Students.
- 1.3% from 8 countries
- Average Age
- 22
- All Graduate Students
- 76
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 67.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 45.2%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 49.2%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 50.0%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 77%
- Average Starting Salary
- 77%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 25.0%
- Disciplines Pursued
- Not reported
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2019 Peterson's, a Nelnet company. All rights reserved."