Baker vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Baker University in Baldwin City, KS with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Baker University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (2,017 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Baker University is located in Baldwin City, KS (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Baker University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Baker University 13:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Baker vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Baker 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 Bethany College than Baker ($19,035 vs. $26,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baker University are 14.8% lower than at Bethany College ($11,250 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Baker (about $1,465 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $35,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Bethany College than at Baker University (about $1,465 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $35,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Baker University as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 28% larger than aid received by Baker University students ($31,646 vs. $24,733).

Baker vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Baker 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 Baker.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Baker University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Baker).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baker University 970/1130; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baker University 18/23; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Baker - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Baker students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Baker has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at Baker vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Baker vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Baker 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).

• Baker University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Baker University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Baker University graduates have a $5,885 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($24,999 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Baker graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($258 vs. $319).
• More Baker graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.