Dominican vs. BLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University in River Forest, IL with Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dominican University is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (3,803 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Bethany Lutheran College is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University 12:1; Bethany Lutheran College 12:1.

Dominican vs. BLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican 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 Dominican University than BLC ($13,402 vs. $21,127).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 32.2% lower than at Dominican University ($8,620 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BLC (about $7,618 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.3% higher at Dominican than at Bethany Lutheran College (about $7,618 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $31,360.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University as at Bethany Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 54.8% larger than aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students ($30,756 vs. $19,865).

Dominican vs. BLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dominican 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 Dominican.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 120 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming BLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Dominican).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100; Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26; Bethany Lutheran College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; BLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027; BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at BLC (3.51).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Dominican vs. 34% at BLC.

Dominican vs. BLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dominican students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 64%)

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.