SIUE vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 2,936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Bethel University 15:1.

SIUE vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE 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 SIUE ($13,112 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 27.3% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($10,538 vs. $14,490).
• Bethel University is 44.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $5,790 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at Bethel than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $5,790 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 52.6% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($17,700 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE 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 SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 90 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SIUE (3.54).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

SIUE vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE 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).

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Bethel graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $6,820 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($21,430 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($221 vs. $292).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.