DSC vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 2,936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Bethel University 15:1.

DSC vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than Bethel ($5,625 vs. $13,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 1.1% lower than at Bethel University ($10,419 vs. $10,538).
• Bethel University is 460.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $15,376 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.6% higher at Bethel than at Dalton State College (about $8,056 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Dalton State College (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 166% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($17,700 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC 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 DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Bethel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC 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).

• Bethel University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $13,363 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($14,887 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($153 vs. $292).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.