BLC vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN with College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Saint Benedict is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (1,429 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

BLC vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict ($21,127 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 31.3% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($8,620 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 77.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $24,396 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at Saint Benedict than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $24,396 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College as at College of Saint Benedict (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 101.6% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($40,048 vs. $19,865).

BLC vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 30 points higher than at BLC (1110).
• Incoming BLC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Saint Benedict (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at BLC (3.51).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

BLC vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC and Saint Benedict? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $3,093 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($240 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BLC students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

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.