Iowa Wesleyan University vs Bethany College
Iowa Wesleyan University and Bethany Lutheran College, both located in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Iowa Wesleyan, a private university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Bethany Lutheran's selective admissions (58%). While Iowa Wesleyan's student body is more diverse, Bethany Lutheran has a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community. Both institutions excel in different areas: Iowa Wesleyan is known for its strong nursing and business programs, while Bethany Lutheran shines in its music and education offerings. With Iowa Wesleyan's higher graduation rate (56%) compared to Bethany Lutheran's (48%), students may find better post-graduation outcomes at Iowa Wesleyan. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Bethany Lutheran College |
![]() Iowa Wesleyan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Mankato, Minnesota | Mount Pleasant, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 73.0% | 51.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 61.5% | 81.9% |
Application fees | $40 | |
SAT range | N/A | 820 - 1020 |
ACT range | N/A | 15 - 20 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 714 | 3,934 |
Total number of admissions given out | 439 | 3,222 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 199 | 267 |
Yield rate | 45.3% | 8.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $39,490 | $42,840 |
Average net price | $17,640 | $34,988 |
Tuition | $27,980 | $32,550 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,840
Meal plan:
$4,280
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Room/dormitory:
$4,410
Meal plan:
$6,930
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $21,117 |
97.0%
Average amount $12,333 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $5,283 |
92.0%
Average amount $4,286 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $9,790 |
7.0%
Average amount $6,430 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
781
Men 44.7% Women 55.3% |
758
Men 57.9% Women 42.1% |
Graduate students |
17
Men 64.7% Women 35.3% |
67
Men 52.2% Women 47.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 38.9% | N/A |
International students | 16.8% | 11.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 547 | 568 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota Wisconsin Arizona South Dakota Florida | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.7% | 22.5% |
Dropout rate | 16.4% | 32.5% |
Transferred out | 20.9% | 44.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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