MBC vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mary Baldwin University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,772 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mary Baldwin University is located in Staunton, VA (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mary Baldwin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mary Baldwin University 15:1; Bethany College 12:1.

MBC vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MBC 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 Mary Baldwin University than Bethany College ($17,810 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mary Baldwin University are 13.6% lower than at Bethany College ($11,411 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MBC (about $2,613 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $34,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Bethany College than at Mary Baldwin University (about $2,613 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $34,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Mary Baldwin University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Mary Baldwin University students ($31,646 vs. $28,135).

MBC vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MBC 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 MBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mary Baldwin University (1030) is 40 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at MBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mary Baldwin University 940/1120; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mary Baldwin University 18/24; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MBC - Not reported; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman MBC students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Bethany College (2.85).

MBC vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MBC 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).

• Mary Baldwin University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than MBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mary Baldwin University graduates have a $3,884 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($27,000 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, MBC graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($279 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MBC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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.