Degree Dividend
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Bethel University vs Fortis Institute-Nashville: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, McKenzie TN · vs · Private for-profit, Nashville TN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethel University comes closer — median earnings $47,482 against a $50,380 total, vs $32,886 at Fortis Institute-Nashville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBethel UniversityFortis Institute-Nashville
Net price / yr$12,595$29,039
Total net cost$50,380$116,156
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,482$32,886
Median debt$27,249$12,346
Payback
20-year net return-$67,940-$425,636

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

Which is cheaper, Bethel University or Fortis Institute-Nashville?

Bethel University, at $12,595 a year after aid versus $29,039 — a gap of $16,444 a year, or $65,776 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-Nashville graduates earn more?

Bethel University graduates report a median $47,482 ten years after entry, $14,596 more than the $32,886 at Fortis Institute-Nashville. 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-Nashville?

Fortis Institute-Nashville: its completers carry a median $12,346 in federal loans versus $27,249 at Bethel University, a difference of $14,903. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at Fortis Institute-Nashville, 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.

Bethel University vs Fortis Institute-Nashville: frequently asked questions

Is Bethel University or Fortis Institute-Nashville a better value?
Bethel University 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, Bethel University or Fortis Institute-Nashville?
Bethel University: $12,595/yr net price after aid versus $29,039/yr at Fortis Institute-Nashville — a difference of $16,444 a year, or about $65,776 over four years.
Do Bethel University or Fortis Institute-Nashville graduates earn more?
Bethel University graduates earn a median $47,482 ten years after entry, versus $32,886 at Fortis Institute-Nashville — a $14,596 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.