BLC vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern State University is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; Northern State University 19:1.

BLC vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or NSU? 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 Northern State University than BLC ($15,990 vs. $21,127).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 18.7% lower than at Northern State University ($8,620 vs. $10,600).
• Bethany Lutheran College is 254.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $22,515 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 162.5% higher at BLC than at Northern State University (about $19,413 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students is 208.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($19,865 vs. $6,441).

BLC vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 40 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming BLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 35.2% at NSU.

BLC vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC and NSU? 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).

• Bethany Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Northern State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $1,149 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($240 vs. $252).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 63%)

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.