Illinois College vs. BLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL with Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois College is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (942 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Bethany Lutheran College is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Bethany Lutheran College 12:1.

Illinois College vs. BLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College or BLC? 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 Illinois College than BLC ($17,375 vs. $21,127).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 28.3% lower than at Illinois College ($8,620 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $7,316 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Illinois College than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $7,316 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College as at Bethany Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 59.1% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($31,609 vs. $19,865).

Illinois College vs. BLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College or BLC? 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 BLC and Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 80 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming BLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Bethany Lutheran College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; BLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at BLC (3.51).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 34% at BLC.

Illinois College vs. BLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College and BLC? 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 79%)

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.