Bethany Lutheran College
#4 Best Engineering Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,110 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,148 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 39% A
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Engineering Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $987,468.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Bethany Lutheran College Matters
Bethany Lutheran College is a private liberal arts college in Mankato, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 669
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 99
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, Education
Why students choose Bethany Lutheran College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 39% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1040–1180. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,148 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,110 ten years after enrolling — 13% above the typical college, against $23,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 88% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.63 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Bethany Lutheran College is a great fit for students seeking a close-knit community and a personalized educational experience. With an acceptance rate of 39%, it offers a range of programs that include Business and Marketing, Biology, Legal Studies, Communications, and Education. At a school with an enrollment of 669, students can expect to build strong relationships with faculty and peers, enhancing their overall learning environment.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, the average earnings for Bethany graduates ten years post-degree is $46,110. This figure highlights the potential for a solid return on investment, particularly in fields like Business and Education where alumni often find rewarding careers. While 22% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that some financial assistance is available, affordability remains a key consideration for many.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Bethany, the net price after financial aid stands at $20,148, with a median debt of $23,000 upon graduation. Students who tend to thrive here often appreciate the supportive atmosphere and the focus on liberal arts education. This environment can be particularly beneficial for those who value a well-rounded approach to their studies while preparing for various career paths.
Rankings
- #4 Best Engineering Colleges in Minnesota
- #5 Best Communications Colleges in Minnesota
- #6 Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
- #8 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #8 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota
- #10 Best Biology Colleges in Minnesota
- #12 Best Business Colleges in Minnesota
- #15 Best Colleges in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Bethany Lutheran College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bethany Lutheran College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Mankato, Minnesota, Bethany Lutheran College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 39%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 39%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1150
- SAT Range
- 1040–1180
- ACT Range
- 21–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,253
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- Applicants
- 665
- Admitted
- 389
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bethany Lutheran College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bethany Lutheran College is $31,360, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,148. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,571 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $31,360
- Out-of-State
- $31,360
- Avg Net Price
- $20,148
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,571
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,564
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,233
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,961
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Bethany Lutheran College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bethany Lutheran College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bethany Lutheran College earn a median of $46,110, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,652
- 8 Years
- $44,246
- 10 Years
- $46,110
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (66)
- 47%
- 100% (66)
- 47%
- 100% (66)
- 47%
- 100% (66)
- 47%
How Bethany Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bethany Lutheran College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bethany Lutheran College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,148/year ($80,592 total). Graduates earn $46,110 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,068,060 in total earnings — a net gain of $987,468 (13.3× your investment). The median debt is $23,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 57% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $80,592
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,068,060
- Net Return
- $987,468
- ROI Multiple
- 13.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,148
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bethany Lutheran College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bethany Lutheran College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.80%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.80%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $103,257
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,350,984
- Investment Income
- $-4,908,071
Top Programs
The fields Bethany Lutheran College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $45,495 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 15% $35,271 early-career
- Communications 14% $32,661 early-career
- Education 11%
- Visual & Performing Arts 11% $29,935 early-career
- Legal Studies 9%
- Engineering 5%
- Psychology 5%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bethany Lutheran College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bethany Lutheran College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Mankato, Minnesota, Bethany Lutheran College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 39%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bethany Lutheran College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bethany Lutheran College is $31,360, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,148. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,571 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
Is Bethany Lutheran College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bethany Lutheran College earn a median of $46,110, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Bethany Lutheran College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bethany Lutheran College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.80%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bethany Lutheran College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bethany Lutheran College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bethany Lutheran College.
- Warner UniversityLake Wales, FL · Close peer38% grad $46,086 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Mount Marty UniversityYankton, SD · Close peer56% grad $48,179 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lyon CollegeBatesville, AR · Close peer51% grad $44,232 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Casa Loma College-Los AngelesSherman Oaks, CA · Close peer69% grad $49,854 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Sterling CollegeSterling, KS · Close peer34% grad $45,846 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Brevard CollegeBrevard, NC · Close peer44% grad $43,545 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bethany Lutheran College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bethany Lutheran College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note