At $17,680/yr net price, Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn $46,110/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,110/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,680 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $70,720 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,110/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,110/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,667/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,224/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,099/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,008/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,753/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $27,488 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
59.6% of students at Bethany Lutheran 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 Lutheran College delivers a weak financial return. Your median earnings ten years out land near what many high school graduates earn, and no listed bachelor's program clears $40,000. Business Administration tops the list, and even that leaves you short of the school-wide median. The gap between what you pay and what you earn is the core problem here.
The program picture skews toward low-paying fields. Business is your best bet, but it still trails the college's overall median earnings, which means graduates in other majors pull the average up in ways the program data doesn't fully explain. Biology, communication, visual and performing arts, and fine and studio arts all report earnings under $30,000. If you enroll for art, media, or biology expecting these numbers to translate into loan repayment power, plan carefully. A business degree with roughly $21,500 in debt against $38,289 in early earnings is manageable but tight.
The main risk is the earnings floor combined with a 60 percent graduation rate. Four in ten students don't finish in the tracked window, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome. Retention at 80 percent means most first-years return, so the drop happens later.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns between $30,000 and $48,000, you pay the least by a wide margin. Families under $30,000 pay more than that middle band, an unusual quirk worth questioning with the aid office. Above $110,000, you pay full-tier pricing with no meaningful discount.
This school fits you if you're pursuing business, qualify for the mid-income price break, and value the small Lutheran setting for reasons beyond salary. If you're borrowing heavily for an arts or biology degree and need strong early earnings, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethany Lutheran College worth the cost?
With graduates earning $46,110 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $23,000, Bethany Lutheran offers decent value for a private college. The relatively low debt load makes it more affordable than many private schools, though earnings lag behind top-tier institutions.
What are the best paying majors at Bethany Lutheran College?
Business Administration leads with $38,289 in median earnings, while Biology graduates earn $29,685. Most other programs, including arts and communications, produce earnings in the mid-to-upper $20,000s, which is below the national average for college graduates.
How much student debt do Bethany Lutheran College graduates have?
The median debt at Bethany Lutheran is $23,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With the school's net price of $17,680 per year, students who graduate in four years typically avoid excessive borrowing.
Does Bethany Lutheran College have good graduation rates?
Bethany Lutheran's 59.6% graduation rate is concerning and below the national average for four-year colleges. This means nearly 40% of students don't finish their degree, which significantly hurts the return on investment for those who don't graduate.