Bluefield State College was established as a black teachers college by an act of the West Virginia Legislature in 1895 and was integrated after 1954. By the 1960's the College had a comprehensive four-year program of teacher education, arts and sciences, and engineering technology. Gradually a variety of two-year technical programs evolved in response to local needs.

As an historically black, open admissions institution, Bluefield State College today prepares students for challenging careers, graduate study, informed citizenship, community involvement, and public service in an ever-changing global society.

Academics
Bluefield State College offers undergraduate liberal arts and professional programs in applied sciences, business, education, humanities, social sciences, engineering technologies, and allied health sciences leading to baccalaureate and associate degrees, the nontraditional Regents Bachelor of Arts degree, and continuing education opportunities.

BSC offers improved access to education at BSC by providing courses and degree programs at areas away from the main campus and by providing courses and degree programs in various nontraditional ways to meet the needs of students who cannot attend regular day and evening classes.

Bluefield State College maintains14 nationally accredited programs and graduating an average of more than 350 students annually since 2002. Moreover, BSC was selected as a biomedical research institution of excellence by the National Institutes of Health.

Bluefield State College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.