Blackburn College vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

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

Bethel University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Bethel? 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 Blackburn College ($13,112 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 5.9% lower than at Bethel University ($9,915 vs. $10,538).
• Blackburn College is 50.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $9,437 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at Blackburn College than at Bethel University (about $9,437 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Bethel University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($19,456 vs. $17,700).

Blackburn College vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 30 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Bethel - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Blackburn College has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Blackburn College vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($268 vs. $292).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.