Life University vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Life University in Marietta, GA with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Life University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (2,714 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Life University vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life 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 Life University ($19,035 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 11% lower than at Life University ($13,210 vs. $14,850).
• Bethany College is 144.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Life University (about $21,729 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.5% higher at Bethany College than at Life University (about $21,729 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Life University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 180.3% larger than aid received by Life University students ($31,646 vs. $11,292).

Life University vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Life 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 Life University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Life University (1030) is 40 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Life University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 920/1130; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 17/20; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life University - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Life University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.11) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.1% at Life University vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Life University vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life 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).

• Life University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Life University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $22,550 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($8,334 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $233 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($86 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.