Bethany College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (2,728 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany College is located in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting); West Virginia University at Parkersburg is in Parkersburg, WV (Small Suburban setting).
• Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany College 12:1; West Virginia University at Parkersburg 17:1.

Bethany College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethany College or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 at Parkersburg than Bethany College ($1,948 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 9.2% lower than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($13,210 vs. $14,544).
• Bethany College is 697.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $32,153 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $4,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 302.9% higher at Bethany College than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $27,641 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $9,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 323.5% larger than aid received by West Virginia University at Parkersburg students ($31,646 vs. $7,472).

Bethany College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethany College or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Bethany College.

• West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethany College - Test-free; West Virginia University at Parkersburg - Open admission.

Bethany College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethany College and West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 University at Parkersburg's (31%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $31,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have a $18,853 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($12,031 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have an estimated $195 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($124 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University at Parkersburg students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 33%)

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.