Bethel University vs. IU South Bend

Deciding between Bethel University and Indiana University South Bend? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Indiana University South Bend

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bethel University Mishawaka, IN
  • IU South Bend South Bend, IN
  • Setting
  • Bethel University Small City
  • IU South Bend Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bethel University 1,167
  • IU South Bend 4,631
  • Type
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • IU South Bend Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bethel University #847
  • IU South Bend #968
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bethel University Missionary Church Inc
  • IU South Bend -
  • Status
  • Bethel University Non-profit
  • IU South Bend Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bethel University
  • IU South Bend
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bethel University $34,600
  • IU South Bend $8,424
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bethel University $34,600
  • IU South Bend $22,811
  • Room & Board
  • Bethel University $11,140
  • IU South Bend $10,184
  • Average Net Price
  • Bethel University $19,494
  • IU South Bend $9,003
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bethel University $25,046
  • IU South Bend $8,371
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bethel University 95%
  • IU South Bend 76%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bethel University 985
  • IU South Bend 2,815
  • Admitted
  • Bethel University 962
  • IU South Bend 2,360
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bethel University 97.7%
  • IU South Bend 83.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Bethel University 27.4%
  • IU South Bend 39%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bethel University 1030
  • IU South Bend 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bethel University 20
  • IU South Bend 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bethel University 3.46
  • IU South Bend 3.24
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bethel University B+
  • IU South Bend B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bethel University Very Easy
  • IU South Bend Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bethel University
  • IU South Bend
  • ACT Range
  • Bethel University 16/24
  • IU South Bend 21/23
  • SAT Range
  • Bethel University 900/1150
  • IU South Bend 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • IU South Bend Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Bethel University Aug 15, 2027
  • IU South Bend
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bethel University 12:1
  • IU South Bend 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bethel University
    • Business (33%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • IU South Bend
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bethel University 49%
  • IU South Bend 22%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bethel University $39,400
  • IU South Bend $37,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bethel University 64%
  • IU South Bend 47%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bethel University $26,065
  • IU South Bend $24,530
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bethel University $269
  • IU South Bend $253
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bethel University 44%
  • IU South Bend 34%
  • % Women
  • Bethel University 56%
  • IU South Bend 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bethel University Low
  • IU South Bend Low
  • HBCU
  • Bethel University No
  • IU South Bend No
  • % White
  • Bethel University 76%
  • IU South Bend 74%
  • % Asian
  • Bethel University 1%
  • IU South Bend 1%
  • % Black
  • Bethel University 11%
  • IU South Bend 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bethel University 7%
  • IU South Bend 9%
  • % Native American
  • Bethel University 0%
  • IU South Bend 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bethel University 0%
  • IU South Bend 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bethel University 3%
  • IU South Bend 3%
  • % International
  • Bethel University 1%
  • IU South Bend 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bethel University 0%
  • IU South Bend 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bethel University 65%
  • IU South Bend 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bethel University 27%
  • IU South Bend 3%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Bethel University Yes
  • IU South Bend Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Bethel University No
  • IU South Bend No
  • Meal Plan
  • Bethel University Yes
  • IU South Bend No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Bethel University Yes
  • IU South Bend Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Bethel University No
  • IU South Bend Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethel University in Mishawaka, IN with Indiana University South Bend in South Bend, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University South Bend is larger than Bethel University based on total student enrollment (4,631 students vs. 1,167 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bethel University is located in Mishawaka, IN (Small City setting); Indiana University South Bend is in South Bend, IN (Midsize City setting).
  • Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University South Bend is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethel University 12:1; Indiana University South Bend 15:1.

Bethel University vs. IU South Bend Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel University or IU South Bend? 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 Indiana University South Bend than Bethel University ($9,003 vs. $19,494).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 8.6% lower than at Bethel University ($10,184 vs. $11,140).
  • Bethel University is 310.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (about $26,176 more per year; $34,600.00 vs. $8,424.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.7% higher at Bethel University than at Indiana University South Bend (about $11,789 more per year; $34,600.00 vs. $22,811.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Indiana University South Bend (95% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 199.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($25,046 vs. $8,371).

Bethel University vs. IU South Bend Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethel University or IU South Bend? 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 IU South Bend and Bethel University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University South Bend (1070) is 40 points higher than at Bethel University (1030).
  • Incoming IU South Bend students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Bethel University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 900/1150; Indiana University South Bend 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 16/24; Indiana University South Bend 21/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethel University - Test optional; IU South Bend - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bethel University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
  • Bethel University has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than IU South Bend (83.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Bethel University vs. 39% at IU South Bend.

Bethel University vs. IU South Bend Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethel University and IU South Bend? 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).

  • Bethel University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Indiana University South Bend's (22%).
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University South Bend graduates have a $1,535 lower median loan debt than Bethel University graduates ($24,530 vs. $26,065).
  • Among borrowers, IU South Bend graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel University graduates ($253 vs. $269).
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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.