Oakland City University vs. Bethel

Should I go to Oakland City University or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Oakland City University or Bethel is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UT Martin Union University
Oakland City University vs. Bethel University comparison
Oakland City University Bethel University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Oakland City University Bethel
Location Oakland City, IN McKenzie, TN
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 880 4,686
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1002
Religious Affiliation Baptist Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website oak.edu bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Oakland City University Bethel
Tuition (In State) $26,400 $16,222
Tuition (Out of State) $26,400 $16,222
Room & Board $10,400 $13,446
Avg Net Price $17,103 $13,858
Avg Grant Aid $23,197 $13,396
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 96%

Admission

 Oakland City University Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 883 2,489
Admitted 492 2,210
Acceptance Rate 55.7% 88.8%
Enrolled % 26% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 16/22
SAT Range 850/1150 928/1130
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Oakland City University Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (23%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Agriculture (4%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

 Oakland City University Bethel
Graduation Rate 64% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,400 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,200 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $208 $292

Diversity

 Oakland City University Bethel
% Men 51% 46%
% Women 49% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 46%
% Black 8% 40%
% Hispanic 2% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 5%
% Two or More Races 1% 1%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 14% 5%

Students

 Oakland City University Bethel
% In-State 64% 80%
% Out-of-State 20% 19%

Campus

 Oakland City University Bethel
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Oakland City University based on total student enrollment (4,686 students vs. 880 students)

Oakland City University vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland City University or Bethel?

  • Oakland City University is 62.7% more expensive to attend than Bethel for in-state tuition ($26,400.00 vs. $16,222.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.7% higher at Oakland City University than Bethel University ($26,400.00 vs. $16,222.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than Oakland City University ($13,858 vs. $17,103)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland City University are 29.3% lower than costs at Bethel University ($10,400 vs. $13,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bethel University than Oakland City University (96% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland City University students is 73.2% larger than aid received Bethel University ($23,197 vs. $13,396)

Oakland City University vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakland City University or Bethel? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethel or Oakland City University .

  • The average SAT score at Bethel University (928) is 3 points higher than at Oakland City University (925)
  • Incoming Oakland City University students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at Bethel (20)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Oakland City University (3.29)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Oakland City University (55.7%)

Oakland City University vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Oakland City University or Bethel? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bethel and Oakland City University.

  • The graduation rate at Oakland City University is higher than Bethel University (64% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $6,300 more per year than Oakland City University graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $36,400)
  • Oakland City University students graduate with a $8,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($20,200 vs. $28,250)
  • Oakland City University graduates are paying $84 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($208 vs. $292)
  • More Oakland City University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/