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Downtown BlufftonPhoto: Major optics · CC BY 3.0
Colleges in and near Bluffton

Bluffton is home to Bluffton University

Bluffton University (613 students on campus) is inside the village. About 13% of Bluffton’s residents are enrolled in college, above Ohio (6%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Bluffton. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
7,633 students on campus
Nearest college
0.7 mi
Bluffton University
Residents in college
13%
Above OH (6%)
Nearest community college
12.9 mi
James A. Rhodes State College · $4,560 tuition
Nearest public university
12.8 mi
Ohio State University-Lima Campus · $9,488 in-state
Median household income
$76K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Bluffton

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in BlufftonBluffton University has 613 students on campus in Bluffton, 53% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Ohio State University-Lima CampusLiving in Ohio, Ohio State University-Lima Campus charges $9,488 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $36,266. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 12.9 miles awayJames A. Rhodes State College in Lima: tuition and fees $4,560 a year for Ohio residents.Students are 13% of residentsAbove Ohio (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Bluffton

Two private colleges within 9.3 miles, one public college within 12.8 miles, and James A. Rhodes State College 12.9 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miJames A. Rhodes State CollegeOhio Northern UniversityOhio State University-Lima CampusBluffton
University or collegeCommunity college
Bluffton UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 613 on campus · In Bluffton67%admitted$20knet price53%graduate$50kearningsOhio Northern UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,041 on campus · 9.3 mi · Ada74%admitted$24knet price75%graduate$81kearningsOhio State University-Lima CampusUniversity or college · Public · 696 on campus · 12.8 mi · Lima$13knet price23%graduate$60kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.James A. Rhodes State CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,283 on campus · 12.9 mi · Lima$9knet price47%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $4,560 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Bluffton’s median household income ($75,694) falls.

James A. Rhodes State College12.9 mi · Lima · sticker $14,578 · tuition $4,560$11,062a year
Ohio State University-Lima Campus12.8 mi · Lima · sticker $19,487$14,098a year
Bluffton UniversityIn Bluffton · sticker $51,862$21,233a year
Ohio Northern University9.3 mi · Ada · sticker $53,580$25,605a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Bluffton: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Bluffton UniversityOhio Northern UniversityOhio State University-Lima CampusJames A. Rhodes State College
James A. Rhodes State College47% graduate$42k earnings$12k typical debt
Ohio Northern University75% graduate$81k earnings$27k typical debt
Ohio State University-Lima Campus23% graduate$60k earnings*$20k typical debt
Bluffton University53% graduate$50k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Ohio State University-Lima Campus (6).

Majors

What students study in Bluffton

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Bluffton University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 17%Education 13%Parks & recreation 13%Family sciences 11%Psychology 6%Health professions 6%Everything else 34%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations36 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness25 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods16 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Social Work14 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Psychology, General10 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services7 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Bluffton

Is Bluffton a college town?

No. About 13 of every 100 Bluffton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Ohio (6). The largest campus in the village, Bluffton University, has 613 students on campus.

What colleges are in Bluffton?

Bluffton University is inside the village. James A. Rhodes State College is 12.9 miles away in Lima.

What is the closest community college to Bluffton, and what does it cost?

James A. Rhodes State College in Lima, 12.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,560 a year for Ohio residents; the federal net price, $8,757, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Ohio State University-Lima Campus cost if we live in Ohio?

Tuition and fees are $9,488 a year in-state and $36,266 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,805 (under $30,000 income) to $18,468 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bluffton. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →