Bethel University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Bethel University charges a net price of $28,556/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $114,224. Graduates earn a median $63,764 ten years after entry, $15,404/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.4 years — a 20-year net return of $193,856, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Bethel University's 7.4-year payback ranks #648 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 49% of them, and #20 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $28,556/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $114,224 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $63,764 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $15,404/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 7.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $193,856 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Bethel University's own numbers. Net price $28,556 × 4 years = $114,224 total. Median earnings $63,764 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $15,404 a year of premium. $114,224 ÷ $15,404 = 7.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $193,856. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Bethel University students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $63,764 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Bethel University students graduate?
71% finish their degree. Spread the $114,224 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $160,879 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Bethel University expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $28,556 net price runs $11,736 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $46,942 more across the full degree.