Blackburn College vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethany College is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (640 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Blackburn College vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College than Bethany College ($18,460 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 24.9% lower than at Bethany College ($9,915 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $8,616 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at Bethany College than at Blackburn College (about $8,616 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 62.7% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($31,646 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 20 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Blackburn College has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Blackburn College vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College 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).

• The graduation rate at Blackburn College is the same as at Bethany College (48% vs. 48%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $4,884 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($26,000 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($268 vs. $319).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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.