Dr. Sarita A. Rhonemus, Interim Provost | Bluefield State College
Dr. Sarita A. Rhonemus, Interim Provost | Bluefield State College
Data shows that students paid $12,671 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $766 more than the previous school year.
Among the three institutions in the county, Bluefield State University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $13,147. Concord University followed with an average of $12,889 per year. Mercer County Technical Education Center students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $5,162.
At the time, a total of $6.3 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Mercer County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $2.7 million.
Currently there are three higher education institutions in Mercer County, including Bluefield State University, Mercer County Technical Education Center, and Concord University.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord University | 352 | $3,451,521 | $9,805 | 151 | $1,178,015 | $7,801 |
| Bluefield State University | 280 | $2,697,456 | $9,634 | 184 | $1,507,586 | $8,193 |
| Mercer County Technical Education Center | 28 | $147,060 | $5,252 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
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