Bethany College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 615 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany College is located in Lindsborg, KS (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany College 12:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Bethany College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethany College or Columbia 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 Columbia College than Bethany College ($21,530 vs. $28,192).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 31.7% lower than at Bethany College ($9,552 vs. $13,977).
• Bethany College is 27.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $7,174 more per year; $33,000.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at Bethany College than at Columbia College (about $7,174 more per year; $33,000.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 61.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($25,583 vs. $15,882).

Bethany College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethany College or Columbia 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 Columbia College and Bethany College.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 883/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethany College - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Bethany College (3.16).

Bethany College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethany College and Columbia 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).

• Bethany College's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,966 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($22,034 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 40%)

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.