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Bethel University
Saint Paul, MN 1,871 Undergrads 71.9% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$58,569
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$28,556
After Aid
Median Earnings
$70,633
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$28,556
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$70,633Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$63,764Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate71.9%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Average Starting Age23.8
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients23.9%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time87.8%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS82.5%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
87.8%
SAT Avg
1,249
SAT Reading
25th: 61062775th: 650
SAT Math
25th: 58060775th: 650
ACT Composite
25th: 222475th: 28
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$619k
+$152k
+$134k
Median Cost$29k/yr
+$516k
+$49k
+$32k
Full Cost$59k/yr
+$408k
-$59k
-$76k
ROI Efficiency Metrics⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
30
∞
Median Cost$29k/yr
49
31%
Full Cost$59k/yr
Never
-36%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return24%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-56%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Certificates
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,365
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Associate's Degrees
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$85,036
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$142k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
BachCIP: 5109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$60,919
Natl Median: $70,786
Lifetime Value Added
-$44k
Bible/Biblical Studies
BachCIP: 3902
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$26,739
Natl Median: $44,533
Lifetime Value Added
-$325k
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
BachCIP: 2602
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$23,026
Earnings (4yr)
$58,005
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$68k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$22,500
Earnings (4yr)
$77,059
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$81k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$23,702
Earnings (4yr)
$53,868
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$101k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$97,008
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$233k
Design and Applied Arts
BachCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,490
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,686
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering Science
BachCIP: 1413
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $93,782
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
BachCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$101,195
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
+$265k
International Relations and National Security Studies
BachCIP: 4509
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,596
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Journalism
BachCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,278
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Management Information Systems and Services
BachCIP: 5212
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,290
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
BachCIP: 3099
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,693
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
BachCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
BachCIP: 3907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$44,268
Natl Median: $42,915
Lifetime Value Added
-$189k
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
BachCIP: 3005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,114
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$85,657
Natl Median: $76,786
Lifetime Value Added
+$146k
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$55,370
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$89k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$22,500
Earnings (4yr)
$87,511
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$160k
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
BachCIP: 1609
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Sciences, General
BachCIP: 4501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,907
Natl Median: $53,366
Lifetime Value Added
-$109k
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$22,500
Earnings (4yr)
$54,448
Natl Median: $51,790
Lifetime Value Added
-$97k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$23,000
Earnings (4yr)
$68,202
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
+$13k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (4yr)
$47,556
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$154k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$51,866
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$118k
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
BachCIP: 1314
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,259
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
BachCIP: 3999
Median Debt
$24,798
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,566
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Human Resources Management and Services
PB-CertCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $79,861
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Master's Degrees
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
MastCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$74,078
Earnings (4yr)
$124,673
Natl Median: $127,347
Lifetime Value Added
+$403k
Bible/Biblical Studies
MastCIP: 3902
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,028
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$96,278
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$155k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,936
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$231k
Communication and Media Studies
MastCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,953
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Education, General
MastCIP: 1301
Median Debt
$23,241
Earnings (4yr)
$59,738
Natl Median: $65,824
Lifetime Value Added
-$167k
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Gerontology
MastCIP: 3011
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,618
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
MastCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$37,584
Earnings (4yr)
$90,134
Natl Median: $83,558
Lifetime Value Added
+$101k
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
MastCIP: 3907
Median Debt
$44,884
Earnings (4yr)
$38,749
Natl Median: $53,024
Lifetime Value Added
-$369k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
MastCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$48,091
Earnings (4yr)
$112,698
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$299k
Religion/Religious Studies
MastCIP: 3802
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,737
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Religious Education
MastCIP: 3904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$38,289
Natl Median: $54,328
Lifetime Value Added
-$359k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$67,614
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$96k
Theological and Ministerial Studies
MastCIP: 3906
Median Debt
$54,666
Earnings (4yr)
$54,390
Natl Median: $61,300
Lifetime Value Added
-$217k
Graduate Certificates
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Gr-CertCIP: 4228
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,509
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Education, General
Gr-CertCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,448
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
Gr-CertCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$24,778
Earnings (4yr)
$101,518
Natl Median: $74,850
Lifetime Value Added
+$310k
International and Comparative Education
Gr-CertCIP: 1307
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,834
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Doctoral Degrees
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$104,538
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
+$25k
Theological and Ministerial Studies
DocCIP: 3906
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,982
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Other Programs
Education, General
DegCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,696
Natl Median: $62,645
Lifetime Value Added
-$342k
Special Education and Teaching
DegCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,406
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.