Bethel University vs Fortis Institute-Cookeville: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethel University comes closer — median earnings $47,482 against a $50,380 total, vs $34,509 at Fortis Institute-Cookeville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bethel University | Fortis Institute-Cookeville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,595 | $23,582 |
| Total net cost | $50,380 | $47,164 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,482 | $34,509 |
| Median debt | $27,249 | $13,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$67,940 | -$324,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bethel University or Fortis Institute-Cookeville?
Bethel University, at $12,595 a year after aid versus $23,582 — a gap of $10,987 a year, or $3,216 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bethel University or Fortis Institute-Cookeville graduates earn more?
Bethel University graduates report a median $47,482 ten years after entry, $12,973 more than the $34,509 at Fortis Institute-Cookeville. 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 leaves students with less debt, Bethel University or Fortis Institute-Cookeville?
Fortis Institute-Cookeville: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $27,249 at Bethel University, a difference of $14,249. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Fortis Institute-Cookeville, against 35% at Bethel University. 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.