Bethel vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethel University in McKenzie, TN with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethel University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethel University is located in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethel University 15:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Bethel vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel or Bethany College? 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 Bethel University than Bethany College ($13,112 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 20.2% lower than at Bethany College ($10,538 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 96.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $18,053 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.5% higher at Bethany College than at Bethel University (about $18,053 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Bethel University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 78.8% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($31,646 vs. $17,700).

Bethel vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethel or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College and Bethel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany College (990) is 10 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 830/1120; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 15/21; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethel - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.2% at Bethel vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Bethel vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethel and Bethany College? 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).

• Bethany College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Bethel graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $2,634 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($28,250 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Bethel graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($292 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 33%)

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.