KWC vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kentucky Wesleyan College is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (887 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Bethany College 12:1.

KWC vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 KWC ($19,035 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 10.3% lower than at Bethany College ($11,855 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than KWC (about $2,092 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $34,673.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Bethany College than at Kentucky Wesleyan College (about $2,092 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $34,673.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 23.9% larger than aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students ($31,646 vs. $25,538).

KWC vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC 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 KWC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1010) is 20 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman KWC students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

KWC vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC 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).

• Bethany College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $7,977 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($22,907 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($236 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 54%)

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.