Bluefield University

Bluefield, VA

private nonprofitgraduate

Find Scholarships Here

Quick Facts

“Deus, Patria, Lux”(God, Country, Light)

1922

Founded

Private university

Type

683

Total Students

$30K

Tuition (In-State)

$30K

Tuition (Out-State)

$22K

Avg Net Price

63%

Acceptance Rate

27%

Graduation Rate

6-year

49%

Retention Rate

Master's Colleges & Universities

Classification

President: Steven Peterson

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Bluefield University

Bluefield University: A century of growth, from junior college to thriving university.

Nestled in the heart of Appalachia, Bluefield University offers a vibrant and enriching academic experience rooted in a century of tradition and growth. Founded in 1922 by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, what began as Bluefield College has evolved into a dynamic institution committed to student success. From its early days as a two-year junior college, which even hosted future Nobel Prize winner John F. Nash for advanced math courses, Bluefield has continuously adapted to meet the needs of its students and community.

Over the decades, the university has seen remarkable expansion and transformation. A pivotal moment arrived in 1975 when it reinvented itself as a comprehensive four-year college, significantly broadening its academic offerings. This period of growth was further amplified under visionary leadership, notably when student enrollment doubled to over 800 during the presidency of Roy A. Dobyns. In 1998, the college took an innovative step by cutting tuition to prioritize local student recruitment, underscoring its commitment to serving the regional community.

Celebrating its centennial, Bluefield College proudly achieved university status in 2021, marking a new chapter in its distinguished history. Today, under the leadership of its 10th president, Dr. Steven Peterson, Bluefield University continues its mission to provide an engaging and supportive learning environment for its 1,332 students. With a proud legacy of fostering intellectual curiosity and community engagement, Bluefield University stands as a testament to enduring educational excellence.

Key Highlights

✦Founded in 1922 by the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
✦Achieved university status in 2021, celebrating its centennial anniversary.
✦Nobel Prize laureate John F. Nash took mathematics courses here while in high school.
✦Transformed from a two-year junior college to a four-year institution in 1975.
✦Experienced a doubling of student enrollment to over 800 under President Roy A. Dobyns (1989-1996).
✦Reduced tuition by over 20% in 1998 to strengthen local student recruitment.
✦Currently serves 1,332 students under its motto "Deus, Patria, Lux" (God, Country, Light).

Timeline

1920

R.A. Landsdell became the first president of the nascent institution.

1922

Founded as "Bluefield College" by the Baptist General Association of Virginia.

1946

Charles L. Harman began his presidency, overseeing significant campus expansion over 25 years.

1975

Bluefield College reinvented itself as a four-year degree-granting institution.

1989

Roy A. Dobyns' presidency began, during which student enrollment doubled to more than 800.

1998

The college cut tuition by over 20% to refocus on local student recruitment.

2021

Achieved university status, officially becoming Bluefield University during its centennial.

2024

Dr. Steven Peterson was appointed as the 10th president of the university.

🏛️

104 Years

of Excellence

Leadership

Steven Peterson

President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

Find Scholarships at Bluefield University

Start Your Free Search