Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

North Central University vs Bethany Lutheran College: which has better ROI?

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

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 $45,064 at North Central University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureNorth Central UniversityBethany Lutheran College
Net price / yr$25,817$20,148
Total net cost$103,268$80,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,064$46,110
Median debt$23,200$23,000
Payback——
20-year net return-$169,188-$125,592

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

Which is cheaper, North Central University or Bethany Lutheran College?

Bethany Lutheran College, at $20,148 a year after aid versus $25,817 — a gap of $5,669 a year, or $22,676 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do North Central University or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?

Bethany Lutheran College graduates report a median $46,110 ten years after entry, $1,046 more than the $45,064 at North Central University. 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, North Central University or Bethany Lutheran College?

Bethany Lutheran College: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $23,200 at North Central University, a difference of $200. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at North Central University, 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.

North Central University vs Bethany Lutheran College: frequently asked questions

Is North Central University 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, North Central University or Bethany Lutheran College?
Bethany Lutheran College: $20,148/yr net price after aid versus $25,817/yr at North Central University — a difference of $5,669 a year, or about $22,676 over four years.
Do North Central University or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn a median $46,110 ten years after entry, versus $45,064 at North Central University — a $1,046 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.