Bethel University vs Tusculum 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 $44,367 at Tusculum University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bethel University | Tusculum University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,595 | $21,131 |
| Total net cost | $50,380 | $84,524 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,482 | $44,367 |
| Median debt | $27,249 | $23,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$67,940 | -$164,384 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bethel University or Tusculum University?
Bethel University, at $12,595 a year after aid versus $21,131 — a gap of $8,536 a year, or $34,144 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 Tusculum University graduates earn more?
Bethel University graduates report a median $47,482 ten years after entry, $3,115 more than the $44,367 at Tusculum 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 Tusculum University?
Tusculum University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $27,249 at Bethel University, a difference of $3,999. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
35% of students finish at Bethel University, against 25% at Tusculum 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.