Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel

Deciding between Southeast Missouri State University and Bethel University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Southeast Missouri State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO
  • Bethel McKenzie, TN
  • Setting
  • Southeast Missouri State University Remote Town
  • Bethel Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Southeast Missouri State University 9,501
  • Bethel 2,936
  • Type
  • Southeast Missouri State University Public 4 Year
  • Bethel Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Southeast Missouri State University #978
  • Bethel #966
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Southeast Missouri State University -
  • Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian
  • Status
  • Southeast Missouri State University Non-profit
  • Bethel Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Bethel
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Southeast Missouri State University $9,903
  • Bethel $18,712
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Southeast Missouri State University $9,903
  • Bethel $18,712
  • Room & Board
  • Southeast Missouri State University $12,198
  • Bethel $10,538
  • Average Net Price
  • Southeast Missouri State University $16,185
  • Bethel $13,112
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Southeast Missouri State University $8,512
  • Bethel $17,700
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Southeast Missouri State University 94%
  • Bethel 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Southeast Missouri State University 10,461
  • Bethel 1,486
  • Admitted
  • Southeast Missouri State University 7,691
  • Bethel 895
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Southeast Missouri State University 73.5%
  • Bethel 60.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Southeast Missouri State University 17.9%
  • Bethel 32.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Southeast Missouri State University 940
  • Bethel 980
  • Typical ACT score
  • Southeast Missouri State University 18
  • Bethel 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • Southeast Missouri State University 3.53
  • Bethel 3.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Southeast Missouri State University A-
  • Bethel A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Southeast Missouri State University Extremely Easy
  • Bethel Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Southeast Missouri State University Low
  • Bethel Low
  • ACT Range
  • Southeast Missouri State University 16/21
  • Bethel 15/21
  • SAT Range
  • Southeast Missouri State University 850/1030
  • Bethel 830/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Southeast Missouri State University Test optional
  • Bethel Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Southeast Missouri State University Jul 1, 2027
  • Bethel
  • Academics

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

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

  • % Men
  • Southeast Missouri State University 41%
  • Bethel 46%
  • % Women
  • Southeast Missouri State University 59%
  • Bethel 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Southeast Missouri State University Low
  • Bethel High
  • HBCU
  • Southeast Missouri State University No
  • Bethel No
  • % White
  • Southeast Missouri State University 77%
  • Bethel 46%
  • % Asian
  • Southeast Missouri State University 1%
  • Bethel 0%
  • % Black
  • Southeast Missouri State University 10%
  • Bethel 40%
  • % Hispanic
  • Southeast Missouri State University 2%
  • Bethel 1%
  • % Native American
  • Southeast Missouri State University 0%
  • Bethel 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Southeast Missouri State University 0%
  • Bethel 5%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Southeast Missouri State University 0%
  • Bethel 1%
  • % International
  • Southeast Missouri State University 7%
  • Bethel 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Southeast Missouri State University 1%
  • Bethel 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Southeast Missouri State University 66%
  • Bethel 82%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Southeast Missouri State University 15%
  • Bethel 11%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southeast Missouri State University is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (9,501 students vs. 2,936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, MO (Remote Town setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Southeast Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southeast Missouri State University 20:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeast Missouri State University 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 Southeast Missouri State University ($13,112 vs. $16,185).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 13.6% lower than at Southeast Missouri State University ($10,538 vs. $12,198).
  • Bethel University is 89% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeast Missouri State University (about $8,809 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $9,903.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 89% higher at Bethel than at Southeast Missouri State University (about $8,809 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $9,903.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Southeast Missouri State University (98% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 107.9% larger than aid received by Southeast Missouri State University students ($17,700 vs. $8,512).

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southeast Missouri State University 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 Southeast Missouri State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethel University (980) is 40 points higher than at Southeast Missouri State University (940).
  • Incoming Southeast Missouri State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 18) as students at Bethel (18).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southeast Missouri State University 850/1030; Bethel University 830/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southeast Missouri State University 16/21; Bethel University 15/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southeast Missouri State University - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Southeast Missouri State University Jul 1, 2027.
  • 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).
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (73.5%) than Bethel (60.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Southeast Missouri State University vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Southeast Missouri State University vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southeast Missouri State University 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).

  • Southeast Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Southeast Missouri State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeast Missouri State University graduates have a $5,723 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($22,527 vs. $28,250).
  • Among borrowers, Southeast Missouri State University graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.