BLC vs. St. Kate's

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN with St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Catherine University is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (3,651 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting); St Catherine University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany Lutheran College 12:1; St Catherine University 9:1.

BLC vs. St. Kate's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BLC or St. Kate's? 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 St Catherine University than BLC ($20,918 vs. $21,127).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 29.3% lower than at St Catherine University ($8,620 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 64.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $20,094 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at St. Kate's than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $20,094 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College as at St Catherine University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 101.8% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($40,092 vs. $19,865).

BLC vs. St. Kate's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BLC or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's and BLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 110 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming BLC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at St. Kate's (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180; St Catherine University 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany Lutheran College 21/26; St Catherine University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BLC - Test optional; St. Kate's - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at BLC (3.51).
• St. Kate's has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at BLC vs. 18.8% at St. Kate's.

BLC vs. St. Kate's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BLC and St. Kate's? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($23,250 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($240 vs. $289).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Kate's students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 65%)

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.