Illinois College vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethel University is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Illinois College vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College 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 Bethel University than Illinois College ($13,112 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 12.4% lower than at Illinois College ($10,538 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 106.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $19,964 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.7% higher at Illinois College than at Bethel University (about $19,964 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Bethel University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 78.6% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($31,609 vs. $17,700).

Illinois College vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College 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 Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois College (1030) is 50 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming Illinois College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Bethel (3.6).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Illinois College vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Bethel graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Illinois College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($279 vs. $292).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.