IWU vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

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

Bethel University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IWU vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 IWU ($13,112 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 3% lower than at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion ($10,538 vs. $10,868).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 72.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $13,640 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at IWU than at Bethel University (about $13,640 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Bethel University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 20.9% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($21,405 vs. $17,700).

IWU vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (1070) is 90 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming IWU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Bethel (3.6).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

IWU vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Bethel graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $4,146 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($24,104 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($249 vs. $292).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.