Cornell College vs. Bethel University

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

Cornell College Bethel University
Location Mount Vernon, IA Saint Paul, MN
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,073 3,546
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #424 #238
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cornellcollege.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cornell College Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $48,514 $41,110
Tuition (Out of State) $48,514 $41,110
Room & Board $10,872 $11,490
Avg Net Price $25,686 $29,915
Avg Grant Aid $38,069 $24,586
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Cornell College Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,057 2,199
Admitted 2,425 1,594
Acceptance Rate 79.3% 72.5%
Enrolled % 13.6% 27.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/30 20/28
SAT Range 1170/1380 1123/1343
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Cornell College Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Cornell College Bethel University
Graduation Rate 70% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,400 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $279 $252

Diversity

Cornell College Bethel University
% Men 52% 38%
% Women 48% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 78%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 13% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

Cornell College Bethel University
% In-State 30% 79%
% Out-of-State 67% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (3,546 students vs. 1,073 students)

Cornell College vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Bethel University?

  • Cornell College is 18% more expensive to attend than Bethel University for in-state tuition ($48,514.00 vs. $41,110.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18% higher at Cornell College than Bethel University ($48,514.00 vs. $41,110.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornell College than Bethel University ($25,686 vs. $29,915)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 5.7% lower than costs at Bethel University ($10,872 vs. $11,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cornell College than Bethel University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 54.8% larger than aid received Bethel University ($38,069 vs. $24,586)

Cornell College vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cornell College (1177) is 50 points higher than at Bethel University (1127)
  • Incoming Cornell College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Bethel University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Cornell College (3.53)
  • Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.3%) than Bethel University (72.5%)

Cornell College vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cornell College 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 Cornell College.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Cornell College (73% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $4,700 more per year than Cornell College graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $45,400)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $2,600 lower median federal student loan debt than Cornell College graduates. ($24,400 vs. $27,000)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Cornell College graduates. ($252 vs. $279)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

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