BLC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

BLC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth than BLC ($20,128 vs. $21,127).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 22.4% lower than at University of Minnesota Duluth ($8,620 vs. $11,110).
• Bethany Lutheran College is 114.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Duluth (about $16,750 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $14,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.8% higher at BLC than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $11,230 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than at University of Minnesota Duluth (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students is 176.4% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($19,865 vs. $7,186).

BLC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BLC or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth and BLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 160 points higher than at BLC (1110).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at BLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027; University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BLC students have the same average high school GPA (3.51) as students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

BLC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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).

• University of Minnesota Duluth's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Duluth students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.