BLC vs. NDSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

BLC vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or NDSU? 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus than BLC ($15,596 vs. $21,127).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 13.2% lower than at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($8,620 vs. $9,928).
• Bethany Lutheran College is 182.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NDSU (about $20,250 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $11,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.9% higher at BLC than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (about $15,596 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $15,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students is 210% larger than aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students ($19,865 vs. $6,409).

BLC vs. NDSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 20 points higher than at NDSU (1090).
• Incoming BLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at NDSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; North Dakota State University Main Campus 968/1216.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; NDSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027; NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at BLC (3.51).
• NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 32% at NDSU.

BLC vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC and NDSU? 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).

• North Dakota State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,600 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $50 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,300).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, North Dakota State University Main Campus and BLC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($240 vs. $240).
• More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BLC students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.