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Minneapolis Community and Technical College vs Bethany Lutheran College: which has better ROI?

Public, Minneapolis MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Mankato MN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethany Lutheran College comes closer — median earnings $46,110 against a $80,592 total, vs $40,086 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMinneapolis Community and Technical CollegeBethany Lutheran College
Net price / yr$13,812$20,148
Total net cost$55,248$80,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,086$46,110
Median debt$17,954$23,000
Payback
20-year net return-$220,728-$125,592

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

Which is cheaper, Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Bethany Lutheran College?

Minneapolis Community and Technical College, at $13,812 a year after aid versus $20,148 — a gap of $6,336 a year, or $25,344 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?

Bethany Lutheran College graduates report a median $46,110 ten years after entry, $6,024 more than the $40,086 at Minneapolis Community and Technical 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, Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Bethany Lutheran College?

Minneapolis Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $17,954 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bethany Lutheran College, a difference of $5,046. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Bethany Lutheran College, against 20% at Minneapolis Community and Technical 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.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College vs Bethany Lutheran College: frequently asked questions

Is Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Bethany Lutheran College a better value?
Bethany Lutheran 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, Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Bethany Lutheran College?
Minneapolis Community and Technical College: $13,812/yr net price after aid versus $20,148/yr at Bethany Lutheran College — a difference of $6,336 a year, or about $25,344 over four years.
Do Minneapolis Community and Technical College or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn a median $46,110 ten years after entry, versus $40,086 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College — a $6,024 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.