Bethel University vs Colby College
Bethel University and Colby College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Bethel, a Christian university in Minnesota, boasts a 98% acceptance rate, while Colby, a private liberal arts college in Maine, maintains a highly selective 12% acceptance rate. Bethel's student body is predominantly undergraduate, with a focus on Christian studies, nursing, and business, while Colby's diverse student body pursues a wide range of majors, including government, economics, and biology. With a graduation rate of 68%, Bethel emphasizes spiritual growth and service, while Colby's 93% graduation rate reflects its commitment to academic excellence. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal values.
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![]() Bethel University |
![]() Colby College |
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Overview |
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Location | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Waterville, Maine |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 95.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Baptist | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.7% | 8.9% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1123 - 1343 | 1400 - 1530 |
ACT range | 20 - 28 | 32 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 4.0% | 40.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 57.0% | 28.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,050 | 15,857 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,818 | 1,407 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 504 | 667 |
Yield rate | 27.7% | 47.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $55,228 | $68,825 |
Average net price | $28,840 | $17,912 |
Tuition | $39,920 | $58,640 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,990
Meal plan:
$5,160
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Room/dormitory:
$8,150
Meal plan:
$7,595
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $24,534 |
39.0%
Average amount $58,513 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,559 |
8.0%
Average amount $5,140 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $15,453 |
1.0%
Average amount $18,242 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,653
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
2,262
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
1,078
Men 32.5% Women 67.5% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.4% | N/A |
International students | 0.8% | 9.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 1,819 | 2,242 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa South Dakota Illinois | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 74.3% | 86.6% |
Dropout rate | 25.0% | 5.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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