Marshall University vs Bluefield State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Marshall University comes closer — median earnings $46,354 against a $30,008 total, vs $38,217 at Bluefield State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Marshall University | Bluefield State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,502 | $13,684 |
| Total net cost | $30,008 | $54,736 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,354 | $38,217 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $18,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$70,128 | -$257,596 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Marshall University or Bluefield State University?
Marshall University, at $7,502 a year after aid versus $13,684 — a gap of $6,182 a year, or $24,728 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Marshall University or Bluefield State University graduates earn more?
Marshall University graduates report a median $46,354 ten years after entry, $8,137 more than the $38,217 at Bluefield State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Marshall University or Bluefield State University?
Bluefield State University: its completers carry a median $18,250 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Marshall University, a difference of $5,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Marshall University, against 37% at Bluefield State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.