BLC vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carthage College is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (2,844 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; Carthage College 14:1.

BLC vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or Carthage? 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 Bethany Lutheran College than Carthage ($21,127 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 35.9% lower than at Carthage College ($8,620 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 23.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $7,390 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.6% higher at Carthage than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $7,390 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College as at Carthage College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 19.7% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($23,784 vs. $19,865).

BLC vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BLC or Carthage? 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 Carthage and BLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 10 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming BLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

BLC vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carthage students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 73%)

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.