IWU vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, IN with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (2,204 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is located in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1; Bethany College 12:1.

IWU vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College than IWU ($19,035 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 17.7% lower than at Bethany College ($10,868 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $4,413 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Bethany College than at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (about $4,413 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students ($31,646 vs. $21,405).

IWU vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (1070) is 80 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Bethany College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

IWU vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Bethany College? 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $6,780 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($24,104 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($249 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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.