Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel

Should I go to Southeast Missouri State University or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southeast Missouri State 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.

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Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel University comparison
Southeast Missouri State University Bethel University College 3 College 4
Southeast Missouri State University
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Overview

Southeast Missouri State University Bethel
Location Cape Girardeau, MO McKenzie, TN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 9,686 2,974
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #954 #992
Religious Affiliation - Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website semo.edu bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southeast Missouri State University Bethel
Tuition (In State) $8,152 $16,870
Tuition (Out of State) $8,152 $16,870
Room & Board $11,486 $10,537
Avg Net Price $14,843 $20,606
Avg Grant Aid $8,974 $10,423
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 90%

Admission

Southeast Missouri State University Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,462 3,318
Admitted 5,858 3,224
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 97.2%
Enrolled % 22% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21 16/24
SAT Range 850/1030 625/1100
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Southeast Missouri State University Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

Southeast Missouri State University Bethel
Graduation Rate 46% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,527 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $232 $292

Diversity

Southeast Missouri State University Bethel
% Men 8% 3%
% Women 9% 5%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 77% 46%
% Black 10% 40%
% Hispanic 2% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 5%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 7% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Southeast Missouri State University Bethel
% In-State 76% 80%
% Out-of-State 18% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than Bethel based on total student enrollment (9,686 students vs. 2,974 students)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeast Missouri State University or Bethel?

  • Bethel University is 106.9% more expensive to attend than Southeast Missouri State University for in-state tuition ($16,870.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 106.9% higher at Bethel than Southeast Missouri State University ($16,870.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southeast Missouri State University than Bethel ($14,843 vs. $20,606)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 9% lower than costs at Southeast Missouri State University ($10,537 vs. $11,486)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southeast Missouri State University than Bethel University (93% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 16.1% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($10,423 vs. $8,974)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southeast Missouri State University (1050) is 122 points higher than at Bethel (928)
  • Incoming Southeast Missouri State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Bethel (20)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Southeast Missouri State University (3.53)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Southeast Missouri State University (78.5%)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southeast Missouri State 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 Southeast Missouri State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than Bethel University (46% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $2,200 more per year than Southeast Missouri State University graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $40,500)
  • Southeast Missouri State University students graduate with a $5,723 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($22,527 vs. $28,250)
  • Southeast Missouri State University graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($232 vs. $292)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 33%)

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