Bethany Lutheran College
Bethany Lutheran College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bethany Lutheran College at a Glance
Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) is a private Christian liberal arts college in Mankato, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1927, BLC is operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The campus overlooks the Minnesota River valley in a community of 53,000.
1927
99 years old
$42M
$41.6 million (2020)
750
75
50 acres
Identity
Is Bethany Lutheran College Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Bethany Lutheran College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,110 — 14% below average — while paying $20,148/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $23,000 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Bethany Lutheran College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Bethany Lutheran College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 45 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Brescia University | 67 | $8,709 | $45,500 |
| #3 | Baptist University of Florida | 64 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
| #4 | College of Saint Mary | 49 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #13 | Bethany Lutheran College | 33 | $20,148 | $46,110 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bethany Lutheran College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MN.
Best Programs at Bethany Lutheran College
The highest-earning program at Bethany Lutheran College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $32,500/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Bethany Lutheran College earns $32,500, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $32,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $18,445 in median debt vs. $18,445 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,148/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,500 | $32,500 | $18,445 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Mankato, MN
- Student Body
- 669 students
- Admission Rate
- 39%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,148
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,110
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000