Bethany College vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany College in Bethany, WV with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia State University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany College is located in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany College 12:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Bethany College vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethany College or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than Bethany College ($11,055 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 2.3% lower than at West Virginia State University ($13,210 vs. $13,522).
• Bethany College is 284.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $27,195 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.3% higher at Bethany College than at West Virginia State University (about $21,775 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at West Virginia State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 251.9% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($31,646 vs. $8,993).

Bethany College vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany College (990) is 90 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at WVSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 870/1110; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 18/26; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethany College - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVSU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bethany College vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Bethany College vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethany College and WVSU? 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 (48%) is higher than West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $7,634 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($23,250 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($240 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 35%)

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.