Benedictine University vs. Bethel University

Should I go to Benedictine University or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Benedictine University or Bethel University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Benedictine University vs. Bethel University comparison
Benedictine University Bethel University College 3 College 4
Benedictine University Bethel University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Benedictine University Bethel University
Location Lisle, IL Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,989 3,521
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #476 #320
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ben.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Benedictine University Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $32,700 $42,760
Tuition (Out of State) $32,700 $42,760
Room & Board $10,266 $12,090
Avg Net Price $24,570 $30,375
Avg Grant Aid $21,484 $25,924
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

Benedictine University Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,788 1,642
Admitted 2,153 1,494
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 91%
Enrolled % 16.4% 28.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/28 23/29
SAT Range 1050/1280 1065/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

Benedictine University Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (45%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Benedictine University Bethel University
Graduation Rate 49% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,300 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $230 $252

Diversity

Benedictine University Bethel University
% Men 13% 8%
% Women 25% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 78%
% Black 9% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 16% 7%

Students

Benedictine University Bethel University
% In-State 75% 82%
% Out-of-State 25% 16%

Campus

Benedictine University Bethel University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Benedictine University based on total student enrollment (3,521 students vs. 2,989 students)

Benedictine University vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedictine University or Bethel University?

  • Bethel University is 30.8% more expensive to attend than Benedictine University for in-state tuition ($42,760.00 vs. $32,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.8% higher at Bethel University than Benedictine University ($42,760.00 vs. $32,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Benedictine University than Bethel University ($24,570 vs. $30,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedictine University are 17.8% lower than costs at Bethel University ($10,266 vs. $12,090)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethel University than Benedictine University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 20.7% larger than aid received Benedictine University ($25,924 vs. $21,484)

Benedictine University vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Benedictine University or Bethel University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethel University or Benedictine University .

  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Benedictine University (3.26)
  • Bethel University has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Benedictine University (77.2%)

Benedictine University vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Benedictine University or Bethel University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bethel University and Benedictine University.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Benedictine University (73% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Benedictine University earn on average $2,700 more per year than Bethel University graduates after ten years. ($52,800 vs. $50,100)
  • Benedictine University students graduate with a $2,100 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel University graduates. ($22,300 vs. $24,400)
  • Benedictine University graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel University graduates. ($230 vs. $252)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedictine University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/