BLC vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

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

Bethany Lutheran College is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (899 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; Northland College 5:1.

BLC vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or Northland College? 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 Northland College ($21,127 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 25.7% lower than at Northland College ($8,620 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $13,043 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at Northland College than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $13,043 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 69% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($33,572 vs. $19,865).

BLC vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 60 points higher than at Northland College (1050).
• Incoming BLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• Northland College has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

BLC vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC and Northland College? 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).

• Bethany Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Bethany Lutheran College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $3,693 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($240 vs. $278).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northland College 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.