Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Bethel University vs Milligan University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, McKenzie TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Milligan 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 $46,641 at Milligan University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureBethel UniversityMilligan University
Net price / yr$12,595$21,365
Total net cost$50,380$85,460
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,482$46,641
Median debt$27,249$25,219
Payback
20-year net return-$67,940-$119,840

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

Which is cheaper, Bethel University or Milligan University?

Bethel University, at $12,595 a year after aid versus $21,365 — a gap of $8,770 a year, or $35,080 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 Milligan University graduates earn more?

Bethel University graduates report a median $47,482 ten years after entry, $841 more than the $46,641 at Milligan 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 Milligan University?

Milligan University: its completers carry a median $25,219 in federal loans versus $27,249 at Bethel University, a difference of $2,030. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at Milligan 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.

Bethel University vs Milligan University: frequently asked questions

Is Bethel University or Milligan University 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 Milligan University?
Bethel University: $12,595/yr net price after aid versus $21,365/yr at Milligan University — a difference of $8,770 a year, or about $35,080 over four years.
Do Bethel University or Milligan University graduates earn more?
Bethel University graduates earn a median $47,482 ten years after entry, versus $46,641 at Milligan University — a $841 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.