Concordia University Chicago vs. Bethel University

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

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
Location River Forest, IL Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,066 3,521
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #749 #320
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cuchicago.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $35,200 $42,760
Tuition (Out of State) $35,200 $42,760
Room & Board $11,140 $12,090
Avg Net Price $17,767 $30,375
Avg Grant Aid $26,680 $25,924
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,607 1,642
Admitted 4,301 1,494
Acceptance Rate 93.4% 91%
Enrolled % 7.6% 28.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 23/29
SAT Range 990/1180 1065/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (34%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
Graduation Rate 60% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,951 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $257 $252

Diversity

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
% Men 23% 8%
% Women 50% 17%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 78%
% Black 13% 5%
% Hispanic 26% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
% In-State 67% 82%
% Out-of-State 32% 16%

Campus

Concordia University Chicago Bethel University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Concordia University Chicago is larger than than Bethel University based on total student enrollment (5,066 students vs. 3,521 students)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or Bethel University?

  • Bethel University is 21.5% more expensive to attend than Concordia University Chicago for in-state tuition ($42,760.00 vs. $35,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.5% higher at Bethel University than Concordia University Chicago ($42,760.00 vs. $35,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Concordia University Chicago than Bethel University ($17,767 vs. $30,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 8.5% lower than costs at Bethel University ($11,140 vs. $12,090)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Chicago than Bethel University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 2.9% larger than aid received Bethel University ($26,680 vs. $25,924)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bethel University (1127) is 80 points higher than at Concordia University Chicago (1047)
  • Incoming Bethel University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Concordia University Chicago (23)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18)
  • Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Bethel University (91%)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Concordia University Chicago or Bethel University? 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 Bethel University and Concordia University Chicago.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Concordia University Chicago (73% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $7,800 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $42,300)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $551 lower median federal student loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($24,400 vs. $24,951)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($252 vs. $257)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University Chicago students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 57%)

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