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Minnesota North College vs Bethany Lutheran College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Minnesota North College comes closer — median earnings $45,570 against a $20,864 total, vs $46,110 at Bethany Lutheran College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMinnesota North CollegeBethany Lutheran College
Net price / yr$10,432$20,148
Total net cost$20,864$80,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,570$46,110
Median debt$12,000$23,000
Payback
20-year net return-$76,664-$125,592

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

Which is cheaper, Minnesota North College or Bethany Lutheran College?

Minnesota North College, at $10,432 a year after aid versus $20,148 — a gap of $9,716 a year, or $59,728 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Minnesota North College or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?

Bethany Lutheran College graduates report a median $46,110 ten years after entry, $540 more than the $45,570 at Minnesota North 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, Minnesota North College or Bethany Lutheran College?

Minnesota North College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bethany Lutheran College, a difference of $11,000. 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 42% at Minnesota North 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.

Minnesota North College vs Bethany Lutheran College: frequently asked questions

Is Minnesota North College or Bethany Lutheran College a better value?
Minnesota North 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, Minnesota North College or Bethany Lutheran College?
Minnesota North College: $10,432/yr net price after aid versus $20,148/yr at Bethany Lutheran College — a difference of $9,716 a year, or about $59,728 over four years.
Do Minnesota North College or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn a median $46,110 ten years after entry, versus $45,570 at Minnesota North College — a $540 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.