Bethel University vs Freed-Hardeman University: 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 $47,485 at Freed-Hardeman University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bethel University | Freed-Hardeman University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,595 | $21,574 |
| Total net cost | $50,380 | $86,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,482 | $47,485 |
| Median debt | $27,249 | $21,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$67,940 | -$103,796 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bethel University or Freed-Hardeman University?
Bethel University, at $12,595 a year after aid versus $21,574 — a gap of $8,979 a year, or $35,916 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 Freed-Hardeman University graduates earn more?
Freed-Hardeman University graduates report a median $47,485 ten years after entry, $3 more than the $47,482 at Bethel University. 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 Freed-Hardeman University?
Freed-Hardeman University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $27,249 at Bethel University, a difference of $5,749. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Freed-Hardeman University, 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.