Warren Wilson vs. Bethel

Should I go to Warren Wilson College or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Warren Wilson 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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Warren Wilson College vs. Bethel University comparison
Warren Wilson College Bethel University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Warren Wilson Bethel
Location Swannanoa, NC McKenzie, TN
Setting Midsize Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 793 4,686
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1002
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website warren-wilson.edu bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Warren Wilson Bethel
Tuition (In State) $37,500 $16,222
Tuition (Out of State) $37,500 $16,222
Room & Board $12,050 $13,446
Avg Net Price $28,086 $13,858
Avg Grant Aid $26,012 $13,396
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

 Warren Wilson Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 905 2,489
Admitted 760 2,210
Acceptance Rate 84% 88.8%
Enrolled % 25.3% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 16/22
SAT Range 928/1130
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 3, 2025

Academics

 Warren Wilson Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (28%)
  • English and Literature (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

 Warren Wilson Bethel
Graduation Rate 45% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $30,800 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $237 $292

Diversity

 Warren Wilson Bethel
% Men 34% 46%
% Women 66% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 46%
% Black 4% 40%
% Hispanic 9% 1%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 5%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

 Warren Wilson Bethel
% In-State 40% 80%
% Out-of-State 58% 19%

Campus

 Warren Wilson Bethel
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (4,686 students vs. 793 students)

Warren Wilson vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson or Bethel?

  • Warren Wilson College is 131.2% more expensive to attend than Bethel for in-state tuition ($37,500.00 vs. $16,222.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 131.2% higher at Warren Wilson than Bethel University ($37,500.00 vs. $16,222.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than Warren Wilson ($13,858 vs. $28,086)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 11.6% lower than costs at Bethel University ($12,050 vs. $13,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Warren Wilson College than Bethel University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 94.2% larger than aid received Bethel University ($26,012 vs. $13,396)

Warren Wilson vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Warren Wilson College (1120) is 192 points higher than at Bethel (928)
  • Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Bethel (20)
  • Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have at the same average high school GPA (3.6) as students at Bethel (3.6)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Warren Wilson (84%)

Warren Wilson vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

  • The graduation rate at Warren Wilson is higher than Bethel University (45% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $11,900 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $30,800)
  • Warren Wilson College students graduate with a $5,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($23,000 vs. $28,250)
  • Warren Wilson graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($237 vs. $292)
  • More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 33%)

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