ISU vs. Bethel University

Should I go to Iowa State University or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or Bethel University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Iowa State University vs. Bethel University comparison
Iowa State University Bethel University College 3 College 4
Iowa State University Bethel University
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Overview

ISU Bethel University
Location Ames, IA Saint Paul, MN
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 29,969 3,546
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #352 #238
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iastate.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $8,678 $41,110
Tuition (Out of State) $25,162 $41,110
Room & Board $9,358 $11,490
Avg Net Price $15,310 $29,915
Avg Grant Aid $11,043 $24,586
% Receiving Grant Aid 80% 98%

Admission

ISU Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,919 2,199
Admitted 19,776 1,594
Acceptance Rate 90.2% 72.5%
Enrolled % 29% 27.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 20/28
SAT Range 1090/1350 1123/1343
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

ISU Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

ISU Bethel University
Graduation Rate 68% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,700 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,868 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $246 $252

Diversity

ISU Bethel University
% Men 55% 38%
% Women 45% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 78%
% Black 3% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 7% 0%
% Unknown Race 5% 7%

Students

ISU Bethel University
% In-State 52% 79%
% Out-of-State 45% 21%

Campus

ISU Bethel University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Iowa State University is larger than than Bethel University based on total student enrollment (29,969 students vs. 3,546 students)

ISU vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Bethel University?

  • Bethel University is 373.7% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($41,110.00 vs. $8,678.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.4% higher at Bethel University than Iowa State University ($41,110.00 vs. $25,162.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than Bethel University ($15,310 vs. $29,915)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 22.8% lower than costs at Bethel University ($9,358 vs. $11,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethel University than Iowa State University (98% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 122.6% larger than aid received Iowa State University ($24,586 vs. $11,043)

ISU vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Bethel University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethel University or ISU .

  • The average SAT score at Iowa State University (1142) is 15 points higher than at Bethel University (1127)
  • Incoming ISU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Bethel University (25)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Bethel University (3.6)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than Bethel University (72.5%)

ISU vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or Bethel University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bethel University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Iowa State University (73% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Iowa State University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Bethel University graduates after ten years. ($53,700 vs. $50,100)
  • Iowa State University students graduate with a $532 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel University graduates. ($23,868 vs. $24,400)
  • ISU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel University graduates. ($246 vs. $252)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/