Is Bluffton University a Christian college?

Yes. Bluffton University is a Christian college. Its sponsor is Mennonite Church USA.

What is Bluffton University’s Compass Score?

64 out of 100 (grade C). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

Where is chapel held at Bluffton University?

Chapel is listed at Bob's Place and Marbeck Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the college’s spiritual life office before you go.

Christian college

Bluffton University

Bluffton, OH · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Mennonite Church USA · Mennonite and Brethren

Bluffton University is a Mennonite-affiliated university in Bluffton, Ohio. Voluntary student-led chapel is held each Thursday at 11 a.m., with a named campus pastor, hall chaplains in every residence hall and several student faith groups. Required general education includes one Reading the Bible course and one Religious Understanding course, and a Bible and theology major is offered.

Faith life at a glance

In the college’s own words

“While chapel attendance is not required, it is a privilege and a blessing to be able to worship”
Source: bluffton.edu
“Bluffton University is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA.”
Source: bluffton.edu

Questions students ask

Do I have to go to chapel?

Chapel attendance is not required, though it is considered a privilege to worship together.

Source: bluffton.edu

What's a normal week?

Each Thursday at 11 a.m. there are chapel services in Yoder Recital Hall, and a weekly voluntary student-led chapel meets in the Marbeck Center.

Source: bluffton.edu

Where do I find community?

Delight offers small groups, worship and prayer for women, and BASIC small groups meet in the homes of faculty, staff and community members.

Source: bluffton.edu

Academic Excellence

B-

55 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score53%
First-year retention 20% of score60%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 976 · ACT 19
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score11 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$11,125

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

Worship and chapel

54 of 100 points · 6 of 7 found

Partly:
Chapel services during the weekOnce a week (Once a week: chapel is held each Thursday at 11 a.m.)
Sources (2)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. in Yoder Recital Hall.”
  Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. (this page names Yoder Recital Hall as the location).
2. Spiritual life opportunities | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/activities.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Weekly, voluntary, student-led Chapel services are held at 11 a.m. Thursdays in Marbeck Center’s Bob’s Place, for the Bluffton University campus community.”
  Weekly voluntary chapel services are held at 11 a.m. on Thursdays in Bob’s Place in the Marbeck Center.
Partly:
Chapel attendance expected of studentsEncouraged or partly required (Encouraged rather than required: the page says attendance is not required but a privilege.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “While chapel attendance is not required, it is a privilege and a blessing to be able to worship”
  Chapel attendance is voluntary and encouraged rather than required.
Not enough information:
Student worship nights or praise servicesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Now and then (Prayer is offered through the DElight group and ministry assistants' prayer practices.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual life opportunities | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/activities.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Delight provides small groups, worship, prayer, food, fun and lots of Jesus for women!”
  The DElight women's group offers small groups, worship and prayer.
  “Ministry assistants work at building community and serving as a spiritual resource”
  Ministry assistants provide spiritual resources, including Bible studies and prayer practices, for students.
Yes:
Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsFull-time campus pastor or chaplain (A named campus pastor, chaplain or dean of chapel serves students on the college staff.)
Sources (2)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Eli Tracy serves as Bluffton’s campus pastor”
  A named campus pastor serves Bluffton students.
2. Student life staff | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/studentlifestaff.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Eli Tracy Campus pastor tracye@bluffton.edu”
  Eli Tracy is listed as campus pastor with a university email address on the student life staff page.
Yes:
A chapel or worship space on campusYes (Chapel services are held in Yoder Recital Hall (spiritual life page) and in Bob's Place in the Marbeck Center (activities page).)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. in Yoder Recital Hall.”
  Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. (this page names Yoder Recital Hall as the location).
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayer1 or 2 times a week (1 weekly time documented: 1 chapel, 0 worship night, 0 prayer.)Computed from the verified chapel services, worship nights and prayer times listed on the college's page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Bible and theology

79 of 100 points · 4 of 6 found

Partly:
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students2 courses (Two distinct courses: one Reading the Bible course (REL 100 or HON 120) and one Religious Understanding course chosen from several options. The Religious Understanding option list includes some courses from other departments; they are counted as the religion requirement under the catalog's own competency name.)
Sources (3)
1. Bluffton Blueprint | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/academiclife/blueprint/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “students are required to choose one course from several options to fulfill each of the following competencies”
  Students choose one course from several options for each general education competency.
2. Academic Catalog 2025-26 | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/images/AcademicCatalog25-26_web.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Students must take one course per competency and”
  Every student takes one course for each general education competency.
  “Reading the Bible (RB) (3 hours)”
  Reading the Bible is a three-hour general education competency.
  “Religious Understanding (RU) (3 hours)”
  Religious Understanding is a three-hour general education competency.
3. Course Descriptions | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/courses · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The Sermon on the Mount provides a focal text for the course. Satisfies Reading the Bible competency.”
  REL 100 Introduction to Biblical Worldview satisfies the Reading the Bible competency.
Partly:
Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsOne choice among others (Old and New Testament courses (REL 250, REL 252) are options, not required. Reading the Bible is met by REL 100 or HON 120.)
Sources (1)
1. Course Descriptions | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/courses · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “REL 250 INTRODUCTION TO OLD TESTAMENT (3)”
  An Old Testament course (REL 250) is listed in the course descriptions; it is one of the Religious Understanding options.
Not enough information:
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses requiredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes (Stated in the academic mission in the 2025-26 catalog.)
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2025-26 | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/images/AcademicCatalog25-26_web.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “to integrate the Christian expression of outreach, service and peacemaking into not only the curricular and co-curricular programs”
  The academic mission states the aim to integrate the Christian expression of outreach, service and peacemaking into the curricular programs.
Yes:
Bible, theology or ministry major offeredYes (A 38-hour Bible and theology major is listed in the 2025-26 catalog; a minor is also offered.)
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2025-26 | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/images/AcademicCatalog25-26_web.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The major in Bible and theology”
  A Bible and theology major is offered (38 hours).
Not enough information:
A published statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.

Christian community

68 of 100 points · 6 of 7 found

Partly:
Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)1 to 2 (Only the campus pastor is confirmed as staff; they are not counted.)
Sources (3)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Eli Tracy serves as Bluffton’s campus pastor”
  A named campus pastor serves Bluffton students.
2. Student life staff | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/studentlifestaff.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Eli Tracy Campus pastor tracye@bluffton.edu”
  Eli Tracy is listed as campus pastor with a university email address on the student life staff page.
3. Spiritual life opportunities | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/activities.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “HALL CHAPLAINS Bren-Dell Hall: Micah Dodson”
  The spiritual life page lists hall chaplains for the residence halls and apartments.
Partly:
Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearOne or two (Spiritual Life Week, one week each semester.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Life Week | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/slw/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “One week each semester is set aside for a special time of focusing on the Christian life.”
  Spiritual Life Week is held once each semester.
Partly:
Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsA few (A few groups are named: DElight, BASIC small groups, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ministry TEAM, and the student-led worship band.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual life opportunities | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/activities.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Delight provides small groups, worship, prayer, food, fun and lots of Jesus for women!”
  The DElight women's group offers small groups, worship and prayer.
  “BASIC is small groups that meet in the homes of faculty, staff and community members.”
  BASIC small groups meet in the homes of faculty, staff and community members.
  “Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) are students who seek to discover what it means”
  A Fellowship of Christian Athletes group is offered for students.
  “Ministry assistants work at building community and serving as a spiritual resource”
  Ministry assistants provide spiritual resources, including Bible studies and prayer practices, for students.
Not enough information:
Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)In every hall (Hall chaplains (student ministry assistants) are listed for all six residence halls and the apartments.)
Sources (2)
1. Spiritual life opportunities | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/activities.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “HALL CHAPLAINS Bren-Dell Hall: Micah Dodson”
  The spiritual life page lists hall chaplains for the residence halls and apartments.
2. Places to Live | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/residencelife/residencehalls/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “There are six halls and one set of apartments maintained through the residence life”
  Bluffton has six residence halls and one set of apartments.
Yes:
Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Yes (A list of area churches is available through the campus ministries office or the ministry assistant.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. in Yoder Recital Hall.”
  Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. (this page names Yoder Recital Hall as the location).
Yes:
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes (Opportunities are run through the spiritual life office, which has a named campus pastor.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. in Yoder Recital Hall.”
  Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. (this page names Yoder Recital Hall as the location).

N/A

Missions and service

Not enough information · 1 of 6 found

Not enough information:
Service or outreach officeNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Missions trips offered to studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Cross-cultural or global ministry programsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes (The university's service value is described as faith-based stewardship.)
Sources (1)
1. Mission, Values and Faith | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/about/mission.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “SERVICE is expressed through a call for faith-based stewardship.”
  The university's service value is expressed as faith-based stewardship.

Strengths

Chapel is held each Thursday at 11 a.m., planned by a team of students, faculty and staff.
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. in Yoder Recital Hall.”
  Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. (this page names Yoder Recital Hall as the location).
Hall chaplains are listed for all six residence halls and the apartments.
Sources (2)
1. Spiritual life opportunities | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/activities.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “HALL CHAPLAINS Bren-Dell Hall: Micah Dodson”
  The spiritual life page lists hall chaplains for the residence halls and apartments.
2. Places to Live | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/residencelife/residencehalls/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “There are six halls and one set of apartments maintained through the residence life”
  Bluffton has six residence halls and one set of apartments.
Every student takes a Reading the Bible course and a Religious Understanding course, and a Bible and theology major is offered.
Sources (3)
1. Bluffton Blueprint | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/academiclife/blueprint/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “students are required to choose one course from several options to fulfill each of the following competencies”
  Students choose one course from several options for each general education competency.
2. Course Descriptions | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/courses · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The Sermon on the Mount provides a focal text for the course. Satisfies Reading the Bible competency.”
  REL 100 Introduction to Biblical Worldview satisfies the Reading the Bible competency.
3. Academic Catalog 2025-26 | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/images/AcademicCatalog25-26_web.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The major in Bible and theology”
  A Bible and theology major is offered (38 hours).
The academic mission names the aim to integrate Christian expression of service and peacemaking into the curriculum.
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2025-26 | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/catalog/images/AcademicCatalog25-26_web.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “to integrate the Christian expression of outreach, service and peacemaking into not only the curricular and co-curricular programs”
  The academic mission states the aim to integrate the Christian expression of outreach, service and peacemaking into the curricular programs.

Concerns

Chapel attendance is voluntary; the page says it is not required.
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “While chapel attendance is not required, it is a privilege and a blessing to be able to worship”
  Chapel attendance is voluntary and encouraged rather than required.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry home

Spiritual Life (Marbeck Center)

Location: On campus
Facilities: Bob's Place, Marbeck Center (chapel), Yoder Recital Hall (chapel location named on the spiritual life page)

Source: bluffton.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026, bluffton.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026

Campus ministry

Spiritual Life

Sources (1)

Spiritual Life | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/index.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. in Yoder Recital Hall.”
Chapel services are held each Thursday at 11 a.m. (this page names Yoder Recital Hall as the location).
“Eli Tracy serves as Bluffton’s campus pastor”
A named campus pastor serves Bluffton students.

Christian clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 4 location not published

Worship and prayer 1

Chapel and worship bandOn campus
Thursdays 11 a.m.
Weekly voluntary, student-led chapel with a student worship band.
bluffton.edu

Clubs and groups 3

DElight
National women's organization for Christ-centered community, with small groups, worship and prayer.
bluffton.edu
BASIC small groups
Small groups that meet in the homes of faculty, staff and community members.
bluffton.edu
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Students, athletes and non-athletes, who integrate Christian faith into sports.
bluffton.edu

Other 1

Spiritual Life Week
One week each semester
A week with guest speakers and special times of worship.
bluffton.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the church. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Chapel, worship and prayer

Confirm with the campus ministry

Chapel 1

Thursday11:00 AMBob's Place, Marbeck Center · Weekly voluntary chapel during the academic year; the spiritual life page names Yoder Recital Hall as the location.

Times come only from official campus ministry, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 20, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)

Spiritual life opportunities | Bluffton Universitybluffton.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/activities.aspx · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Weekly, voluntary, student-led Chapel services are held at 11 a.m. Thursdays in Marbeck Center’s Bob’s Place, for the Bluffton University campus community.”
Weekly voluntary chapel services are held at 11 a.m. on Thursdays in Bob’s Place in the Marbeck Center.

Plan a campus visit Chapel and worship times for your dates, questions to ask, and a calendar button.

What families pay, by income

Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.

Average net price by family income
Family income	Price after aid
Up to $30,000	$16,363
$30,001–$48,000	$16,689
$48,001–$75,000	$18,469
$75,001–$110,000	$21,233
Over $110,000	$26,321

Full cost of attendance before aid: $51,862 a year.

Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	602
Total students	678
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$19,943
Cost of attendance (per year)	$51,862
Median federal debt at graduation	$27,000
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	53%
First-year retention	60%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$49,547
Admission rate	67%
Students receiving Pell grants	45%

Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 860–1130ACT 16–22

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	976
SAT reading & writing	430–550
SAT math	430–580
ACT composite	16–22
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 52 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Earnings by major

Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).

Median earnings by major
Major	Median earnings
Human resources	$76,243
Accounting	$62,315
Business administration	$57,308
Social work	$55,073
Foods, Nutrition,	$47,378
Kinesiology and exercise science	$44,920
Teacher education	$44,290
Psychology	$42,742
Special education	$41,602

Also offered (no earnings published yet): Bible/Biblical Studies, Biology, Broadcasting, Chemistry, Clinical laboratory science, Communication studies, Computing and information science, Criminal justice, Design, Economics, English, Family and human development, Fine arts, Health administration, History, Interdisciplinary studies, Journalism, Liberal arts, Marketing, Mathematics, Music, Nursing, Other visual and performing arts, Pastoral counseling, Physics, Pre-health, Public health, Public relations, Rehabilitation and therapy, Romance languages, Secondary education, Social sciences, Sociology, Speech-language pathology, Teaching English as a second language, Writing and rhetoric.

Campus facts

School colors
Setting	Rural
Part-time undergraduates	1%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older	3%
On-campus room and board (per year)	$12,220
Sports	NCAA Division III · Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	11 to 1

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors. None of this changes the faith grades.

Questions families ask

Is Bluffton University a Christian college?: Yes. Bluffton University is a Christian college. Its sponsor is Mennonite Church USA.
What is Bluffton University’s Compass Score?: 64 out of 100 (grade C). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is chapel held at Bluffton University?: Chapel is listed at Bob's Place and Marbeck Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the college’s spiritual life office before you go.

Ask the school

Something you want to know that isn’t on this page? Ask it here. We send it to the school, and their answer appears on this page. Your name is never shared.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Reach out

Contact details for Eli Tracy (Campus pastor) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 201371
Carnegie classification: Baccalaureate college (diverse fields)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Mennonite Church
Report an error or a newer source
Respond as this school

Colleges like this one

The same kind of school first, then the closest in selectivity, size and cost.

Compass ScoreChowan UniversityMurfreesboro, NCSimilar size and cost Not yet ratedTabor CollegeHillsboro, KSSimilar size and cost Compass ScoreWilliams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge, ARSimilar size and cost Compass ScoreHoward Payne UniversityBrownwood, TXSimilar size and cost

Bluffton University

Faith life at a glance

In the college’s own words

Questions students ask

Academic Excellence

Faith scorecard

Worship and chapel

Bible and theology

Christian community

Missions and service

Strengths

Concerns

Campus ministry home

Spiritual Life (Marbeck Center)

Campus ministry

Christian clubs and student life

Worship and prayer 1

Clubs and groups 3

Other 1

Chapel, worship and prayer

Chapel 1

What families pay, by income

Cost and value

Earnings by major

Campus facts

Questions families ask

Ask the school

Reviews

Reach out

My rating and notes

Colleges like this one

What would it cost your family?

Reach, Target or Likely?

Will you get in?