Bethel vs. Messenger College

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

Bethel Messenger College
Location McKenzie, TN Joplin, TX
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 4,686 19
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1002
Religious Affiliation Cumberland Presbyterian Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bethelu.edu messengercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bethel Messenger College
Tuition (In State) $16,222 $9,480
Tuition (Out of State) $16,222 $9,480
Room & Board $13,446 $7,832
Avg Net Price $13,858 $17,197
Avg Grant Aid $13,396 $7,812
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

Bethel Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,489 8
Admitted 2,210 4
Acceptance Rate 88.8% 50%
Enrolled % 20.6% 100%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 928/1130
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Bethel Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (83%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

Bethel Messenger College
Graduation Rate 32% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,700 $24,000
Making Student Loan Payments 33% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,250 N/A
Median Loan Payment $292 N/A

Diversity

Bethel Messenger College
% Men 46% 42%
% Women 54% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 46% 54%
% Black 40% 18%
% Hispanic 1% 13%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 5% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 5%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 8%

Students

Bethel Messenger College
% In-State 80% 50%
% Out-of-State 19% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (4,686 students vs. 19 students)

Bethel vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel or Messenger College?

  • Bethel University is 71.1% more expensive to attend than Messenger College for in-state tuition ($16,222.00 vs. $9,480.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71.1% higher at Bethel than Messenger College ($16,222.00 vs. $9,480.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than Messenger College ($13,858 vs. $17,197)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messenger College are 71.7% lower than costs at Bethel University ($7,832 vs. $13,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messenger College than Bethel University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 71.5% larger than aid received Messenger College ($13,396 vs. $7,812)

Bethel vs. Messenger College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Messenger College (2.9)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Messenger College (50%)

Bethel vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bethel or Messenger 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 Messenger College and Bethel.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel is higher than Messenger College (32% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $18,700 more per year than Messenger College graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $24,000)
  • More Messenger College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 33%)

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