Friends University vs Bethel College-North Newton: which has better ROI?
Friends University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $110,860 in 29.5 years versus 85.6 years at Bethel College-North Newton, on median earnings of $52,113 vs $49,898 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Friends University | Bethel College-North Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,715 | $32,917 |
| Total net cost | $110,860 | $131,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,113 | $49,898 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 29.5 yrs | 85.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$35,800 | -$100,908 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Friends University or Bethel College-North Newton?
Friends University, at $27,715 a year after aid versus $32,917 — a gap of $5,202 a year, or $20,808 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Friends University or Bethel College-North Newton graduates earn more?
Friends University graduates report a median $52,113 ten years after entry, $2,215 more than the $49,898 at Bethel College-North Newton. 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, Friends University or Bethel College-North Newton?
Bethel College-North Newton: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Friends University, a difference of $1,000. 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 Friends University, against 41% at Bethel College-North Newton. 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.