At $21,803/yr net price, Bethel University graduates earn $47,482/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,482/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,803 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,212 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,482/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,482/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 34.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,249 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,495/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,013/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,838/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,825/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,450/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $108,967 | $148,345 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $61,516 | |
| Homeland Security. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $28,709 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $55,061 | $41,000 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $52,107 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $50,022 | $28,908 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $47,729 | $41,000 |
| Education, General. | Master | $43,943 | $39,428 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. | Master | $41,193 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,950 | $31,866 |
The Risk Factor
34.9% of students at Bethel University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Bethel University's financial picture is shaky. You pay about $21,803 a year, and ten years out the median graduate earns $47,482. That number only counts if you finish, and here's the problem: fewer than 35% of students graduate, and only 59% return after their first year. If you leave with debt but no degree, you get the loans without the payoff.
The programs that pay off are clear. Business/Commerce graduates clear the highest earnings on this list, and Homeland Security and Education both land comfortably above the school-wide median. Criminal Justice and Corrections holds up too. The weak spot is Business Administration, Management and Operations: it pays the least of any program here, yet carries the most debt at nearly $32,000. Picking that major over General Business at the same school costs you both ways.
The biggest risk is the graduation math. With a two-thirds dropout rate, the median debt of about $27,000 is a real gamble unless you're confident you'll finish. Debt sized for a bachelor's degree hurts a lot more when you leave with no degree at all.
The net price barely moves with income. Families earning under $30,000 pay roughly $22,500, while families over $110,000 pay about $19,450. Lower-income families actually pay slightly more here, so don't expect need-based pricing to close the gap.
Bethel fits you if you're set on business, criminal justice, education, or homeland security and you're sure you'll graduate. If you're unsure about finishing, or you can't cover the cost without heavy borrowing, the low completion rate and flat pricing make this a hard bet. Look elsewhere before you take on the debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethel University worth the cost?
Bethel University's value depends heavily on your major. Allied health programs lead to strong earnings around $109,000, but the overall 10-year median salary of $47,482 barely justifies the $87,000 total cost for most graduates.
What is Bethel University's return on investment compared to other schools?
Bethel University's ROI is below average due to a low 35% graduation rate and modest post-graduation earnings. Only students in allied health programs see returns that clearly justify the investment.
How much debt do Bethel University graduates typically have?
Bethel University graduates carry a median debt of $27,249. With typical starting salaries around $47,000, this creates a manageable but not ideal debt-to-income ratio for most programs.
Which Bethel University programs offer the best financial outcomes?
Allied health diagnostic and treatment programs at Bethel University provide the strongest returns with graduates earning around $109,000. Business and homeland security programs show moderate returns, while education majors earn around $52,000.