Bethany College vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany College is located in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany College 12:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Bethany College vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethany College or WVU? 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 University than Bethany College ($15,169 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 9.4% lower than at West Virginia University ($13,210 vs. $14,582).
• Bethany College is 263.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $26,661 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at Bethany College than at West Virginia University (about $8,157 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at West Virginia University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 156% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($31,646 vs. $12,363).

Bethany College vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 130 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming WVU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Bethany College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 870/1110; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 18/26; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethany College - Test-free; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bethany College vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Bethany College vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethany College and WVU? 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).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $6,883 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($24,001 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($248 vs. $319).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.