Bethel University vs. SPU

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

Bethel University SPU
Location Saint Paul, MN Seattle, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 3,546 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #238 #270
Religious Affiliation Baptist Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bethel.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bethel University SPU
Tuition (In State) $41,110 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $41,110 $36,504
Room & Board $11,490 $14,409
Avg Net Price $29,915 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $24,586 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Bethel University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,199 3,895
Admitted 1,594 3,533
Acceptance Rate 72.5% 90.7%
Enrolled % 27.9% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/28 20/27
SAT Range 1123/1343 1080/1350
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, 2025 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

Bethel University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Bethel University SPU
Graduation Rate 73% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,400 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $252 $264

Diversity

Bethel University SPU
% Men 38% 31%
% Women 62% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 78% 61%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 8%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Bethel University SPU
% In-State 79% 71%
% Out-of-State 21% 26%

Campus

Bethel University SPU
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 SPU based on total student enrollment (3,546 students vs. 3,118 students)

Bethel University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel University or SPU?

  • Bethel University is 12.6% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($41,110.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.6% higher at Bethel University than Seattle Pacific University ($41,110.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than Bethel University ($26,549 vs. $29,915)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 25.4% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($11,490 vs. $14,409)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than Bethel University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 3.1% larger than aid received Bethel University ($25,359 vs. $24,586)

Bethel University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 18 points higher than at Bethel University (1127)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Bethel University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Bethel University (72.5%)

Bethel University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bethel University or SPU? 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 SPU and Bethel University.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Bethel University (74% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $300 more per year than Bethel University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $50,100)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $1,203 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($24,400 vs. $25,603)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($252 vs. $264)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

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