BLC vs. Bethel University

Should I go to Bethany Lutheran College or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BLC 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.

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Bethany Lutheran College vs. Bethel University comparison
Bethany Lutheran College Bethel University College 3 College 4
Bethel University
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Overview

BLC Bethel University
Location Mankato, MN Saint Paul, MN
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 830 3,546
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #238
Religious Affiliation Other (none of the above) Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blc.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

BLC Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $28,330 $41,110
Tuition (Out of State) $28,330 $41,110
Room & Board $8,270 $11,490
Avg Net Price $18,525 $29,915
Avg Grant Aid $20,705 $24,586
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

BLC Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 665 2,199
Admitted 389 1,594
Acceptance Rate 58.5% 72.5%
Enrolled % 45.2% 27.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/25 20/28
SAT Range 990/1290 1123/1343
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 Jul 1, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

BLC Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

BLC Bethel University
Graduation Rate 53% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $240 $252

Diversity

BLC Bethel University
% Men 48% 38%
% Women 52% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 78%
% Black 3% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

BLC Bethel University
% In-State 59% 79%
% Out-of-State 23% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than BLC based on total student enrollment (3,546 students vs. 830 students)

BLC vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or Bethel University?

  • Bethel University is 45.1% more expensive to attend than BLC for in-state tuition ($41,110.00 vs. $28,330.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.1% higher at Bethel University than Bethany Lutheran College ($41,110.00 vs. $28,330.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethany Lutheran College than Bethel University ($18,525 vs. $29,915)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 38.9% lower than costs at Bethel University ($8,270 vs. $11,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than Bethel University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 18.7% larger than aid received Bethany Lutheran College ($24,586 vs. $20,705)

BLC vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bethel University (1127) is 53 points higher than at BLC (1074)
  • Incoming Bethel University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at BLC (23)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at BLC (3.51)
  • Bethel University has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than BLC (58.5%)

BLC vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BLC 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 BLC.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Bethany Lutheran College (73% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $12,800 more per year than BLC graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $37,300)
  • Bethany Lutheran College students graduate with a $1,150 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,400)
  • BLC graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel University graduates. ($240 vs. $252)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BLC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 80%)

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