Pittsburg State University vs Bethel College-North Newton: which has better ROI?
Pittsburg State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,136 in 28.5 years versus 85.6 years at Bethel College-North Newton, on median earnings of $50,579 vs $49,898 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pittsburg State University | Bethel College-North Newton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,784 | $32,917 |
| Total net cost | $63,136 | $131,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,579 | $49,898 |
| Median debt | $18,969 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 28.5 yrs | 85.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$18,756 | -$100,908 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pittsburg State University or Bethel College-North Newton?
Pittsburg State University, at $15,784 a year after aid versus $32,917 — a gap of $17,133 a year, or $68,532 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pittsburg State University or Bethel College-North Newton graduates earn more?
Pittsburg State University graduates report a median $50,579 ten years after entry, $681 more than the $49,898 at Bethel College-North Newton. 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, Pittsburg State University or Bethel College-North Newton?
Pittsburg State University: its completers carry a median $18,969 in federal loans versus $24,000 at Bethel College-North Newton, a difference of $5,031. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Pittsburg State University, against 41% at Bethel College-North Newton. 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.