Martin Luther College vs Bethany Lutheran College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Martin Luther College comes closer — median earnings $47,491 against a $73,852 total, vs $46,110 at Bethany Lutheran College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Martin Luther College | Bethany Lutheran College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,463 | $20,148 |
| Total net cost | $73,852 | $80,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,491 | $46,110 |
| Median debt | $20,177 | $23,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$91,232 | -$125,592 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Martin Luther College or Bethany Lutheran College?
Martin Luther College, at $18,463 a year after aid versus $20,148 — a gap of $1,685 a year, or $6,740 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Martin Luther College or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Martin Luther College graduates report a median $47,491 ten years after entry, $1,381 more than the $46,110 at Bethany Lutheran College. 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, Martin Luther College or Bethany Lutheran College?
Martin Luther College: its completers carry a median $20,177 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bethany Lutheran College, a difference of $2,823. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Martin Luther College, against 55% at Bethany Lutheran College. 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.