Minnesota State College Southeast vs Bethany Lutheran College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethany Lutheran College comes closer — median earnings $46,110 against a $80,592 total, vs $43,613 at Minnesota State College Southeast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State College Southeast | Bethany Lutheran College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,140 | $20,148 |
| Total net cost | $64,560 | $80,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,613 | $46,110 |
| Median debt | $12,971 | $23,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$159,500 | -$125,592 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Minnesota State College Southeast or Bethany Lutheran College?
Minnesota State College Southeast, at $16,140 a year after aid versus $20,148 — a gap of $4,008 a year, or $16,032 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 State College Southeast or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Bethany Lutheran College graduates report a median $46,110 ten years after entry, $2,497 more than the $43,613 at Minnesota State College Southeast. 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 State College Southeast or Bethany Lutheran College?
Minnesota State College Southeast: its completers carry a median $12,971 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bethany Lutheran College, a difference of $10,029. 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 47% at Minnesota State College Southeast. 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.