Wheaton College vs. Bethel University

Wheaton College and Bethel University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Wheaton College
Bethel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wheaton College (87.4% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $31,356 at Wheaton College vs $31,738 at Bethel University. Wheaton College in-state tuition is about $1,320 more per year.
  • Graduation: Wheaton College 87% vs Bethel University 73%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wheaton College $54,300 vs Bethel University $50,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Wheaton College Bethel University
Acceptance rate
Wheaton College more selective
Wheaton College87.4%
Bethel University87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wheaton College higher
Wheaton College1260-1470
Bethel University1190-1300
Average net price
About even
Wheaton College$31,356
Bethel University$31,738
In-state tuition
Bethel University $1,320 less
Wheaton College$45,546
Bethel University$44,226
Out-of-state tuition
Bethel University $1,320 less
Wheaton College$45,546
Bethel University$44,226
Graduation rate
Wheaton College +14 pts
Wheaton College87%
Bethel University73%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wheaton College +$4,200
Wheaton College$54,300
Bethel University$50,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Wheaton College and Bethel University with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Wheaton College Check my chances at Bethel University
  • Applied
  • Wheaton College 2,040
  • Bethel University 1,754
  • Admitted
  • Wheaton College 1,783
  • Bethel University 1,540
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wheaton College 87.4%
  • Bethel University 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wheaton College 29.9%
  • Bethel University 26.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wheaton College 1370
  • Bethel University 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wheaton College 30
  • Bethel University 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wheaton College 3.75
  • Bethel University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wheaton College A-
  • Bethel University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Wheaton College Very High
  • Bethel University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Wheaton College
  • Bethel University
  • SAT range
  • Wheaton College 1260-1470
  • Bethel University 1190-1300
  • ACT range
  • Wheaton College 28-32
  • Bethel University 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Wheaton College Test optional
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027
  • Bethel University May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Room & board
  • Wheaton College $13,010
  • Bethel University $12,170
  • Average net price
  • Wheaton College $31,356
  • Bethel University $31,738
  • Average grant aid
  • Wheaton College $27,987
  • Bethel University $26,886
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wheaton College 98%
  • Bethel University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wheaton College 87%
  • Bethel University 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wheaton College $54,300
  • Bethel University $50,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wheaton College 90%
  • Bethel University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wheaton College $22,500
  • Bethel University $24,400
  • Median loan payment
  • Wheaton College $232
  • Bethel University $252
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wheaton College 10:1
  • Bethel University 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wheaton College
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Business (8%)
  • Bethel University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Wheaton College Wheaton, IL
  • Bethel University Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Wheaton College Large Suburban
  • Bethel University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Wheaton College 2,874
  • Bethel University 3,603
  • Type
  • Wheaton College Private 4 Year
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wheaton College #146
  • Bethel University #387

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bethel University is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (3,603 students vs. 2,874 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Bethel University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
  • Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Bethel University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 6.5% lower than at Wheaton College ($12,170 vs. $13,010).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Wheaton College than at Bethel University (about $1,320 more per year; $45,546 vs. $44,226).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($27,987 vs. $26,886).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Wheaton College than at Bethel University (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wheaton College and Bethel University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Bethel University May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wheaton College average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Bethel University (3.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 26.9% at Bethel University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $1,900 lower median loan debt than Bethel University graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,400).
  • Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel University graduates ($232 vs. $252).
  • More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 80%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Wheaton College
Bethel University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges