IU East vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University East in Richmond, IN with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University East is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (3,203 students vs. 2,936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University East is located in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University East 15:1; Bethel University 15:1.

IU East vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU East 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 Indiana University East than Bethel ($8,718 vs. $13,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 4% lower than at Indiana University East ($10,538 vs. $10,972).
• Bethel University is 122.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $10,288 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at IU East than at Bethel University (about $4,099 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Indiana University East (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 118.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University East students ($17,700 vs. $8,096).

IU East vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU East 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 IU East.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University East (1070) is 90 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming IU East students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 960/1170; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 19/24; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU East - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IU East Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at IU East (3.41).
• IU East has a higher acceptance rate (67.2%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at IU East vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

IU East vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU East 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 Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($20,500 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($211 vs. $292).
• More IU East graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.