Bethel University vs. Augustana University

Should I go to Bethel University or Augustana University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bethel University or Augustana 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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Bethel University vs. Augustana University comparison
Bethel University Augustana University College 3 College 4
Bethel University Augustana University
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Overview

Bethel University Augustana University
Location Saint Paul, MN Sioux Falls, SD
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 3,521 2,158
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #320 #332
Religious Affiliation Baptist Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bethel.edu augie.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bethel University Augustana University
Tuition (In State) $42,760 $38,150
Tuition (Out of State) $42,760 $38,150
Room & Board $12,090 $9,470
Avg Net Price $30,375 $25,280
Avg Grant Aid $25,924 $27,925
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Bethel University Augustana University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,642 3,330
Admitted 1,494 1,973
Acceptance Rate 91% 59.2%
Enrolled % 28.8% 23.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.76
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 21/27
SAT Range 1065/1240 1075/1290
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 May 1, 2026

Academics

Bethel University Augustana University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)

Outcomes

Bethel University Augustana University
Graduation Rate 73% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $46,800
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,400 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $252 $279

Diversity

Bethel University Augustana University
% Men 8% 5%
% Women 17% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 84%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 8%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Bethel University Augustana University
% In-State 82% 45%
% Out-of-State 16% 42%

Campus

Bethel University Augustana University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Augustana University based on total student enrollment (3,521 students vs. 2,158 students)

Bethel University vs. Augustana University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel University or Augustana University?

  • Bethel University is 12.1% more expensive to attend than Augustana University for in-state tuition ($42,760.00 vs. $38,150.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.1% higher at Bethel University than Augustana University ($42,760.00 vs. $38,150.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Augustana University than Bethel University ($25,280 vs. $30,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana University are 27.7% lower than costs at Bethel University ($9,470 vs. $12,090)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Augustana University than Bethel University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana University students is 7.7% larger than aid received Bethel University ($27,925 vs. $25,924)

Bethel University vs. Augustana University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Augustana University (1164) is 37 points higher than at Bethel University (1127)
  • Incoming Augustana University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Bethel University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Augustana University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Bethel University (3.6)
  • Bethel University has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Augustana University (59.2%)

Bethel University vs. Augustana University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bethel University or Augustana 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 Augustana University and Bethel University.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Augustana University (73% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $3,300 more per year than Augustana University graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $46,800)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $2,600 lower median federal student loan debt than Augustana University graduates. ($24,400 vs. $27,000)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Augustana University graduates. ($252 vs. $279)
  • More Augustana University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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