Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

<h3 id="section---RankingsSchoolAnalysis">Rankings &amp; School Analysis</h3> <p>According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 11,400 undergraduates applied for admission to Bloomsburg University in the fall of 2011, and about 63% were accepted. The national average acceptance rate is 63.8%, so getting into BU is about on par with other colleges. In 2013, <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i> ranked BU #104 on its list of Best Colleges - Regional Universities (North). </p> <p>The approximate total cost to attend BU during the 2012-13 academic year was $21,732 for Pennsylvania residents and $31,558 for out-of-state students, according to the NCES. These amounts include tuition, fees and all living expenses. This is somewhat higher than the national average for 4-year public schools, which is $17,860 for in-state students and $30,911 for out-of-state students. However, <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i> notes that the average student debt following graduation from BU was $25,321 in 2011, which is a bit lower than the national average of $26,660. The fact that the university accepts CLEP and AP credits is another money-saving factor, since you may not have to take and pay for as many courses at BU. </p> <p>The 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio at BU is higher than the national average of 16:1. According to the NCES, however, all Fall 2011 classes were taught by faculty members, as opposed to graduate assistants. Furthermore, according to the school's website, about 90% of the university's full-time professors have terminal degrees in their fields. </p> <p>BU offers over 85 undergraduate majors and 20 graduate programs through its College of Business, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and College of Science &amp; Technology. According to the NCES, most of the undergraduate degrees awarded for 2011-12 were in the areas of business, education and various health professions. Curriculum and instruction and educational/instructional technology were the most popular master's-degree areas. All ten doctorates were awarded in the field of audiology. </p> <p>A possible drawback of attending BU is that it is far away from major cities and airports. Although the university is within 80 miles of two small Pennsylvania cities (Wilkes-Barre and Harrisburg), it is almost 150 miles away from larger metropolitan areas, such as Philadelphia and New York City. </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionsFinancialAidAtBloomsburgUniversityOfPennsylvania">Admissions &amp; Financial Aid at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania</h2> <p>To be considered for freshman admission to Bloomsburg University, you'll need to submit your official high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Although each application is considered individually, you'll have a better chance of getting into BU if you have an SAT score of 1070 or higher (for critical reading and math combined) or an ACT score of 23 or higher. In addition, accepted BU applicants were often in the top 25% of their graduating high school class and had a high B average or better. Any AP courses you've taken will also be considered. </p> <p>Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for most majors, and you should receive your admissions decision within 4-6 weeks. You're encouraged to apply early (September through November of your senior year) since some programs fill up quickly. If you're seeking admission to the nursing program, you will need to apply by November 15. </p> <p>If you need financial aid to attend BU, you must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The priority deadline is March 15, which allows you to be considered for federal grants, loans, scholarships and paid employment. If you are a Pennsylvania resident, you should submit your FAFSA by May 1 in order to be considered for a state grant as well. According to the NCES, 78% of full-time, first-time students received financial aid to attend BU for the 2010-11 academic year. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013-14)</i> </td><td> Rolling; submit SAT or ACT by December 30***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2013-14)</i> </td><td> Rolling; PA students submit by May 1 for PHEAA state grants****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Notification of Acceptance (2013-14)</i> </td><td> Rolling; about 4-6 weeks after applying****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2013-14)</i> </td><td> $35****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2011-12)</i> </td><td> 63%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Tuition &amp; All Living Expenses (2012-13)</i> </td><td> In-state: $21,732; out-of-state: $31,558*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Grant/Scholarship Package (2010-11)</i> </td><td> $5,980 for first-time undergraduates*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Students with Need Fully Met (2010-11)</i> </td><td> 11.9%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2010-11)</i> </td><td> $25,321***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 4.5%*</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtBloomsburgUniversityOfPennsylvania">Student Life at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania</h2> <p>According to the College Board, 89% of first-year students and 42% of all undergraduates live in Bloomsburg University housing. This includes seven residence halls and four on-campus apartment complexes. If you prefer to live off campus, the school can assist you in finding a place to rent in or near the town of Bloomsburg. There are nine eateries on campus and others nearby. </p> <p>BU has ample opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities, including 200 student organizations and more than 25 sororities and fraternities. Additionally, the university offers close to 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. </p> <p>In Fall 2011, 95% of undergraduate students were age 24 or under, according to the NCES. About 85% of these students were Pennsylvania residents, 14% were from other states and 1% were international. The racial breakdown was 82% white, 7% black or African American, 4% Hispanic or Latino, 1% Asian and 6% other. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Town</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 9,256 undergraduate students; 903 graduate students*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 43% to 57%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full-Time Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 94%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 85%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 1%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (Fall 2010 to Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 80% for full-time students, 75% for part-time students*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Undergraduates Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 42%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 1****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> Close to 200 student organizations and more than 25 fraternities and sororities***</td></tr> </table><p><i>Article Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **College Board, ***U.S. News &amp; World Report, ****Bloomsburg University</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation">School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admissions, 104 Student Services Center, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (570) 389-4316</li></ul>