KY State vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethel University is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; Bethel University 15:1.

KY State vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State 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 Kentucky State University than Bethel ($9,397 vs. $13,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 17.6% lower than at Bethel University ($8,686 vs. $10,538).
• Bethel University is 99.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $9,325 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at Bethel than at Kentucky State University (about $5,054 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Kentucky State University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 71.2% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($17,700 vs. $10,340).

KY State vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State 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 KY State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethel University (980) is 60 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming Bethel students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

KY State vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State 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 Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($28,250 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Bethel graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($292 vs. $299).
• More Bethel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 24%)

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.