Wartburg College vs. BLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); Bethany Lutheran College is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wartburg College 13:1; Bethany Lutheran College 12:1.

Wartburg College vs. BLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg College or BLC? 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 Bethany Lutheran College than Wartburg College ($21,127 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 26.6% lower than at Wartburg College ($8,620 vs. $11,750).
• Bethany Lutheran College is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $5,110 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at BLC than at Wartburg College (about $5,110 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 103.1% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($40,336 vs. $19,865).

Wartburg College vs. BLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg College or BLC? 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 BLC and Wartburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 40 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at BLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 930/1200; Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; Bethany Lutheran College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; BLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Wartburg College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 34% at BLC.

Wartburg College vs. BLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg College and BLC? 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BLC students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 80%)

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.