Bethel vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethel University in McKenzie, TN with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 2,936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethel University is located in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethel University 15:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Bethel vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel or UTC? 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 UTC ($13,112 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 16.4% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($10,538 vs. $12,604).
• Bethel University is 79.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $8,264 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Bethel than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $200 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 76.3% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($17,700 vs. $10,038).

Bethel vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 130 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming UTC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 830/1120; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 15/21; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethel - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Bethel (3.6).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.2% at Bethel vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Bethel vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethel and UTC? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $7,458 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($20,792 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($214 vs. $292).
• More UTC 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.