Elmhurst College vs. BLC

Should I go to Elmhurst College or Bethany Lutheran College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Elmhurst College or BLC 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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Elmhurst College vs. Bethany Lutheran College comparison
Elmhurst College Bethany Lutheran College College 3 College 4
Elmhurst College
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Overview

Elmhurst College BLC
Location Elmhurst, IL Mankato, MN
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 3,906 902
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #386
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ Other (none of the above) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elmhurst.edu blc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elmhurst College BLC
Tuition (In State) $41,258 $29,280
Tuition (Out of State) $41,258 $29,280
Room & Board $11,858 $8,270
Avg Net Price $22,760 $19,456
Avg Grant Aid $29,445 $20,192
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Elmhurst College BLC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,254 881
Admitted 4,737 449
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 51%
Enrolled % 12.8% 42.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.51
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/28 21/26
SAT Range 960/1210 1000/1260
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 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Elmhurst College BLC
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Elmhurst College BLC
Graduation Rate 70% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,200 $37,300
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $222 $240

Diversity

Elmhurst College BLC
% Men 7% 2%
% Women 12% 3%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 88%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 17% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Elmhurst College BLC
% In-State 78% 54%
% Out-of-State 13% 31%

Campus

Elmhurst College BLC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Elmhurst College is larger than than BLC based on total student enrollment (3,906 students vs. 902 students)

Elmhurst College vs. BLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst College or BLC?

  • Elmhurst College is 40.9% more expensive to attend than BLC for in-state tuition ($41,258.00 vs. $29,280.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.9% higher at Elmhurst College than Bethany Lutheran College ($41,258.00 vs. $29,280.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethany Lutheran College than Elmhurst College ($19,456 vs. $22,760)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 43.4% lower than costs at Elmhurst College ($8,270 vs. $11,858)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than Elmhurst College (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst College students is 45.8% larger than aid received Bethany Lutheran College ($29,445 vs. $20,192)

Elmhurst College vs. BLC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Elmhurst College (1090) is 16 points higher than at BLC (1074)
  • Incoming Elmhurst College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at BLC (23)
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at BLC (3.51)
  • Elmhurst College has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than BLC (51%)

Elmhurst College vs. BLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elmhurst College or BLC? 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 BLC and Elmhurst College.

  • The graduation rate at Elmhurst College is higher than Bethany Lutheran College (70% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Elmhurst College earn on average $12,900 more per year than BLC graduates after ten years. ($50,200 vs. $37,300)
  • Elmhurst College students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than BLC graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,250)
  • Elmhurst College graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than BLC graduates. ($222 vs. $240)
  • More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elmhurst College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

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