ATU vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 615 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Bethany College is in Lindsborg, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Bethany College 12:1.

ATU vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Bethany College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than Bethany College ($12,626 vs. $28,192).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 26% lower than at Bethany College ($10,338 vs. $13,977).
• Bethany College is 280.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $24,326 more per year; $33,000.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125% higher at Bethany College than at Arkansas Tech University (about $18,332 more per year; $33,000.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Arkansas Tech University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 158.4% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($25,583 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Bethany College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bethany College and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas Tech University (990) is 40 points higher than at Bethany College (950).
• Incoming ATU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Bethany College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Bethany College 883/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Bethany College 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Bethany College (3.16).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Bethany College (56%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 22.1% at Bethany College.

ATU vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Bethany College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Bethany College's (42%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($183 vs. $279).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.