Elmhurst College vs. Bethel University

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

Elmhurst College Bethel University
Location Elmhurst, IL Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,906 3,521
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #386 #320
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elmhurst.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elmhurst College Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $41,258 $42,760
Tuition (Out of State) $41,258 $42,760
Room & Board $11,858 $12,090
Avg Net Price $22,760 $30,375
Avg Grant Aid $29,445 $25,924
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Elmhurst College Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,254 1,642
Admitted 4,737 1,494
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 91%
Enrolled % 12.8% 28.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/28 23/29
SAT Range 960/1210 1065/1240
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, 2026

Academics

Elmhurst College Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Elmhurst College Bethel University
Graduation Rate 70% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,200 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $222 $252

Diversity

Elmhurst College Bethel University
% Men 7% 8%
% Women 12% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 78%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 17% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

Elmhurst College Bethel University
% In-State 78% 82%
% Out-of-State 13% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Elmhurst College is larger than than Bethel University based on total student enrollment (3,906 students vs. 3,521 students)

Elmhurst College vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

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

  • Bethel University is 3.6% more expensive to attend than Elmhurst College for in-state tuition ($42,760.00 vs. $41,258.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.6% higher at Bethel University than Elmhurst College ($42,760.00 vs. $41,258.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Elmhurst College than Bethel University ($22,760 vs. $30,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmhurst College are 2% lower than costs at Bethel University ($11,858 vs. $12,090)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Elmhurst College as Bethel University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst College students is 13.6% larger than aid received Bethel University ($29,445 vs. $25,924)

Elmhurst College vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bethel University (1127) is 37 points higher than at Elmhurst College (1090)
  • Incoming Bethel University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Elmhurst College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Elmhurst College (3.59)
  • Bethel University has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Elmhurst College (75.7%)

Elmhurst College vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst College.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Elmhurst College (73% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Elmhurst College earn on average $100 more per year than Bethel University graduates after ten years. ($50,200 vs. $50,100)
  • Elmhurst College students graduate with a $2,900 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,400)
  • Elmhurst College graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel University graduates. ($222 vs. $252)
  • More Bethel University 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/