Degree Dividend
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Concord University vs Bethany College: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens WV · vs · Private nonprofit, Bethany WV

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethany College comes closer — median earnings $44,512 against a $74,420 total, vs $42,703 at Concord University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureConcord UniversityBethany College
Net price / yr$9,966$18,605
Total net cost$39,864$74,420
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,703$44,512
Median debt$18,900$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$153,004-$151,380

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

Which is cheaper, Concord University or Bethany College?

Concord University, at $9,966 a year after aid versus $18,605 — a gap of $8,639 a year, or $34,556 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Concord University or Bethany College graduates earn more?

Bethany College graduates report a median $44,512 ten years after entry, $1,809 more than the $42,703 at Concord 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, Concord University or Bethany College?

Concord University: its completers carry a median $18,900 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Bethany College, a difference of $8,100. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

47% of students finish at Bethany College, against 39% at Concord 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.

Concord University vs Bethany College: frequently asked questions

Is Concord University or Bethany College a better value?
Bethany College 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, Concord University or Bethany College?
Concord University: $9,966/yr net price after aid versus $18,605/yr at Bethany College — a difference of $8,639 a year, or about $34,556 over four years.
Do Concord University or Bethany College graduates earn more?
Bethany College graduates earn a median $44,512 ten years after entry, versus $42,703 at Concord University — a $1,809 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.