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Bluefield-Virginia-Avenue-vaPhoto: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Bluefield

Bluefield is home to Bluefield University

Bluefield University (601 students on campus) is inside the town. About 9% of Bluefield’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Virginia (7%).

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 Bluefield. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
1,521 students on campus
Nearest college
1.7 mi
Bluefield University
Residents in college
9%
About the same as VA (7%)
Nearest community college
22.2 mi
Wytheville · $5,007 tuition
Nearest public university
40.5 mi
Radford University · $12,548 in-state
Median household income
$54K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Bluefield

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

A university in BluefieldBluefield University has 601 students on campus in Bluefield, 18% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 22.2 miles awayWytheville Community College in Wytheville: tuition and fees $5,007 a year for Virginia residents.In-state price at Radford UniversityLiving in Virginia, Radford University charges $12,548 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $25,633. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 9% of residentsAbout the same as Virginia (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Bluefield

One private college within 1.7 miles, and one public college within 2.9 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Radford University, is 40.5 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miBluefield StateBluefield UniversityBluefield
University or collegeCommunity college
Bluefield UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 601 on campus · In Bluefield59%admitted$26knet price18%graduate$49kearningsBluefield State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 920 on campus · 2.9 mi · Bluefield, WV97%admitted$14knet price37%graduate$38kearnings

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 and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Bluefield’s median household income ($54,041) falls.

Radford University40.5 mi · Radford · sticker $28,405$12,069a year
Bluefield State University2.9 mi · Bluefield, WV · sticker $21,839$14,630a year
Bluefield UniversityIn Bluefield · sticker $42,539$25,732a 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: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Bluefield UniversityBluefield StateRadford University
Radford University49% graduate$54k earnings$24k typical debt
Bluefield State University37% graduate$38k earnings$18k typical debt
Bluefield University18% graduate$49k earnings$22k 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.

Majors

What students study in Bluefield

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

Business 22%Public safety 16%Liberal arts 9%Public administration 9%Education 8%Health professions 6%Everything else 30%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations30 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
Human Services, General20 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness19 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections15 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing14 graduates a year
$91k4 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 Bluefield

Is Bluefield a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Bluefield residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Virginia (7). The largest campus in the town, Bluefield University, has 601 students on campus.

What colleges are in Bluefield?

Bluefield University is inside the town. Wytheville Community College is 22.2 miles away in Wytheville.

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

Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, 22.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,007 a year for Virginia residents; the federal net price, $4,622, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Radford University cost if we live in Virginia?

Tuition and fees are $12,548 a year in-state and $25,633 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,965 (under $30,000 income) to $23,533 (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 Bluefield. 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 →