Tennessee Wesleyan University vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

Compare Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, TN with Bethany College in Bethany, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Tennessee Wesleyan University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,198 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tennessee Wesleyan University is located in Athens, TN (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 28.4% lower than at Bethany College ($9,458 vs. $13,210).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Bethany College than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (about $5,951 more per year; $36,765 vs. $30,814).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Wesleyan University as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students ($31,646 vs. $24,692).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Bethany College than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Tennessee Wesleyan University, test-free at Bethany College.
• Enrolled first-year students at Tennessee Wesleyan University average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.65 higher than at Bethany College (2.85).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have a $12,134 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($18,750 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($193 vs. $319).
• More Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 56%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.