At $15,306/yr net price, Bethany College graduates earn $44,512/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,512/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,306 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,224 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,512/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,512/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,618/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,220/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,911/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,457/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,711/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $29,141 | $28,495 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $24,035 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
46.3% of students at Bethany College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Bethany College leaves you in a weak financial spot. Ten years out, median earnings sit at $44,512 while you carry $27,000 in median debt, so your degree costs about a year's post-graduation pay. The bigger warning is completion: only 46% of students finish, and just 63% return after year one. If you borrow and don't graduate, you hold the debt with none of the earnings bump.
The named programs make this worse. Communication and Media Studies graduates earn $29,141 but leave with $28,495 in debt, the highest borrowing on the list against nearly the lowest pay. Psychology ($24,035) and Teacher Education ($20,140) land under $25,000 a year, wages that leave little room to service a $27,000 loan. Social Work pays $28,598. None of these bachelor's programs clear $30,000 at the reported point, and that West Virginia labor market isn't lifting them.
The financial risk here is specific: you're paying private-college prices for public-service majors with public-service salaries, and the low graduation rate raises the odds you pay without the payoff. There's no listed program that reliably outruns the debt.
The net price tiers are the one bright spot. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $9,618. under $48k, about $10,220. That's genuine discounting for lower-income families. Above $110k, you pay $23,711, and at that price the earnings numbers don't justify it.
Bethany fits you if you qualify for the bottom income tiers, are set on a helping-profession career, and will actually finish. If you're paying the upper-tier price, or you'd need to borrow heavily against a $24,000 psychology salary, look at a cheaper in-state option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethany College worth the money?
Bethany College graduates earn a median of $44,512 ten years after graduation, which is below average for college graduates nationally. With a net price of $15,306 annually and typical debt of $27,000, the return on investment is modest but not terrible for a small liberal arts college.
What are the best paying majors at Bethany College?
Communication and Media Studies graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $29,141, followed by Social Work at $28,598. Education majors earn significantly less at $20,140, which may make the debt burden harder to manage in that field.
How much debt do Bethany College students graduate with?
The median debt for Bethany College graduates is $27,000. This debt load is manageable for graduates in higher-paying fields like communications, but could be challenging for education or psychology majors who start around $20,000-24,000.
What is Bethany College's graduation rate?
Bethany College has a 46% graduation rate, meaning more than half of students who enroll do not complete their degree. This low completion rate represents a significant financial risk for students who may accumulate debt without earning a degree.