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Bethany Lutheran College vs Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Mankato MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Minneapolis MN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethany Lutheran College comes closer — median earnings $46,110 against a $80,592 total, vs $22,606 at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBethany Lutheran CollegeSummit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center
Net price / yr$20,148$17,649
Total net cost$80,592$70,596
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,110$22,606
Median debt$23,000
Payback
20-year net return-$125,592-$585,676

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bethany Lutheran College or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center?

Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center, at $17,649 a year after aid versus $20,148 — a gap of $2,499 a year, or $9,996 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bethany Lutheran College or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center graduates earn more?

Bethany Lutheran College graduates report a median $46,110 ten years after entry, $23,504 more than the $22,606 at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center, against 55% at Bethany Lutheran College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bethany Lutheran College vs Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center: frequently asked questions

Is Bethany Lutheran College or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center a better value?
Bethany Lutheran College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Bethany Lutheran College or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center?
Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center: $17,649/yr net price after aid versus $20,148/yr at Bethany Lutheran College — a difference of $2,499 a year, or about $9,996 over four years.
Do Bethany Lutheran College or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center graduates earn more?
Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn a median $46,110 ten years after entry, versus $22,606 at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center — a $23,504 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.