BLC vs. Southern Adventist University

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

 BLC Southern Adventist University
Location Mankato, MN Collegedale, TN
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 830 2,903
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #563
Religious Affiliation Other (none of the above) Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blc.edu southern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 BLC Southern Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $28,330 $22,980
Tuition (Out of State) $28,330 $22,980
Room & Board $8,270 $8,330
Avg Net Price $18,525 $24,332
Avg Grant Aid $20,705 $14,000
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 BLC Southern Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 665 2,490
Admitted 389 1,638
Acceptance Rate 58.5% 65.8%
Enrolled % 45.2% 38.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/25 19/26
SAT Range 990/1290 980/1280
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 Southern Adventist University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)

Outcomes

 BLC Southern Adventist University
Graduation Rate 53% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $240 $274

Diversity

 BLC Southern Adventist University
% Men 48% 43%
% Women 52% 57%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 88% 48%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 21%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 BLC Southern Adventist University
% In-State 59% 18%
% Out-of-State 23% 77%

Campus

 BLC Southern Adventist University
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

  • Southern Adventist University is larger than than BLC based on total student enrollment (2,903 students vs. 830 students)

BLC vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or Southern Adventist University?

  • Bethany Lutheran College is 23.3% more expensive to attend than Southern Adventist University for in-state tuition ($28,330.00 vs. $22,980.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.3% higher at BLC than Southern Adventist University ($28,330.00 vs. $22,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethany Lutheran College than Southern Adventist University ($18,525 vs. $24,332)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 0.7% lower than costs at Southern Adventist University ($8,270 vs. $8,330)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students is 47.9% larger than aid received Southern Adventist University ($20,705 vs. $14,000)

BLC vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Southern Adventist University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at BLC (3.51)
  • Southern Adventist University has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than BLC (58.5%)

BLC vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BLC or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University and BLC.

  • The graduation rate at BLC is higher than Southern Adventist University (53% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn on average $7,300 more per year than BLC graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $37,300)
  • Bethany Lutheran College students graduate with a $3,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $26,500)
  • BLC graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($240 vs. $274)
  • More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 63%)

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