Bethel vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethel University in McKenzie, TN with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethel University is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethel University is located in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethel University 15:1; Northland College 5:1.

Bethel vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel or Northland College? 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 Northland College ($13,112 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 9.2% lower than at Northland College ($10,538 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 137.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $25,691 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.3% higher at Northland College than at Bethel University (about $25,691 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Bethel University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 89.7% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($33,572 vs. $17,700).

Bethel vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethel or Northland College? 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 Northland College and Bethel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 70 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming Northland College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 830/1120; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 15/21; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethel - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• Northland College has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.2% at Bethel vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Bethel vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethel and Northland College? 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).

• Northland College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northland College graduates have a $1,307 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($26,943 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Northland College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($278 vs. $292).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.