Bethel University vs. Ripon College

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

Bethel University Ripon College
Location Saint Paul, MN Ripon, WI
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 3,521 734
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #320
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bethel.edu ripon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bethel University Ripon College
Tuition (In State) $42,760 $50,400
Tuition (Out of State) $42,760 $50,400
Room & Board $12,090 $10,190
Avg Net Price $30,375 $22,557
Avg Grant Aid $25,924 $38,989
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Bethel University Ripon College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,642 1,797
Admitted 1,494 1,508
Acceptance Rate 91% 83.9%
Enrolled % 28.8% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 20/27
SAT Range 1065/1240 1000/1190
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 Ripon College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Business (13%)
  • History (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)

Outcomes

Bethel University Ripon College
Graduation Rate 73% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,400 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $252 $289

Diversity

Bethel University Ripon College
% Men 8% 1%
% Women 17% 1%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 83%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Bethel University Ripon College
% In-State 82% 63%
% Out-of-State 16% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (3,521 students vs. 734 students)

Bethel University vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel University or Ripon College?

  • Ripon College is 17.9% more expensive to attend than Bethel University for in-state tuition ($50,400.00 vs. $42,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.9% higher at Ripon College than Bethel University ($50,400.00 vs. $42,760.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ripon College than Bethel University ($22,557 vs. $30,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 18.6% lower than costs at Bethel University ($10,190 vs. $12,090)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ripon College than Bethel University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 50.4% larger than aid received Bethel University ($38,989 vs. $25,924)

Bethel University vs. Ripon College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bethel University (1127) is 22 points higher than at Ripon College (1105)
  • Incoming Bethel University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Ripon College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Ripon College (3.41)
  • Bethel University has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Ripon College (83.9%)

Bethel University vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bethel University or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College and Bethel University.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Ripon College (73% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $900 more per year than Ripon College graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $49,200)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $3,600 lower median federal student loan debt than Ripon College graduates. ($24,400 vs. $28,000)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Ripon College graduates. ($252 vs. $289)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ripon College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

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