BLC vs. CBU

Should I go to Bethany Lutheran College or Christian Brothers University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BLC or CBU 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. Christian Brothers University comparison
Bethany Lutheran College Christian Brothers University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 BLC CBU
Location Mankato, MN Memphis, TN
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 830 1,934
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #606
Religious Affiliation Other (none of the above) Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blc.edu cbu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 BLC CBU
Tuition (In State) $28,330 $35,520
Tuition (Out of State) $28,330 $35,520
Room & Board $8,270 $10,220
Avg Net Price $18,525 $18,612
Avg Grant Aid $20,705 $26,964
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 BLC CBU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 665 877
Admitted 389 767
Acceptance Rate 58.5% 87.5%
Enrolled % 45.2% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.67
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25 18/25
SAT Range 990/1290 1030/1280
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

Academics

 BLC CBU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Psychology (18%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

 BLC CBU
Graduation Rate 53% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $240 $279

Diversity

 BLC CBU
% Men 48% 50%
% Women 52% 50%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 88% 43%
% Black 3% 29%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 BLC CBU
% In-State 59% 69%
% Out-of-State 23% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Christian Brothers University is larger than than BLC based on total student enrollment (1,934 students vs. 830 students)

BLC vs. CBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or CBU?

  • Christian Brothers University is 25.4% more expensive to attend than BLC for in-state tuition ($35,520.00 vs. $28,330.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.4% higher at CBU than Bethany Lutheran College ($35,520.00 vs. $28,330.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethany Lutheran College than CBU ($18,525 vs. $18,612)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 23.6% lower than costs at Christian Brothers University ($8,270 vs. $10,220)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College as Christian Brothers University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Christian Brothers University students is 30.2% larger than aid received Bethany Lutheran College ($26,964 vs. $20,705)

BLC vs. CBU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Christian Brothers University (1105) is 31 points higher than at BLC (1074)
  • Incoming CBU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at BLC (23)
  • Accepted freshman CBU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at BLC (3.51)
  • CBU has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than BLC (58.5%)

BLC vs. CBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BLC or CBU? 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 CBU and BLC.

  • The graduation rate at BLC is higher than Christian Brothers University (53% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Christian Brothers University earn on average $13,300 more per year than BLC graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $37,300)
  • Bethany Lutheran College students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CBU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • BLC graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than CBU graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 53%)

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