Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University ($19,035 vs. $21,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 1.4% lower than at Lenoir Rhyne University ($13,210 vs. $13,400).
• Bethany College is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lenoir-Rhyne University (about $4,865 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at Bethany College than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $4,865 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 34.9% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($31,646 vs. $23,467).

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Lenoir-Rhyne University students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lenoir Rhyne University graduates have a $3,884 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($27,000 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($279 vs. $319).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 56%)

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.