Marian vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Marian University in Indianapolis, IN with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Marian University is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (3,486 students vs. 2,936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Marian vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian 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 Bethel University than Marian ($13,112 vs. $22,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 23.9% lower than at Marian University ($10,538 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 117.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $21,952 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.3% higher at Marian than at Bethel University (about $21,952 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Marian University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 82.8% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($32,351 vs. $17,700).

Marian vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian 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 Marian.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian - Test-free; Bethel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Marian (3.56).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Marian vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian 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).

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Bethel graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marian University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Marian graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($279 vs. $292).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.