Saint Paul College 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 $38,399 at Saint Paul College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Paul College | Bethany Lutheran College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,495 | $20,148 |
| Total net cost | $45,980 | $80,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,399 | $46,110 |
| Median debt | $10,925 | $23,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$245,200 | -$125,592 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Paul College or Bethany Lutheran College?
Saint Paul College, at $11,495 a year after aid versus $20,148 — a gap of $8,653 a year, or $34,612 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Paul College or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Bethany Lutheran College graduates report a median $46,110 ten years after entry, $7,711 more than the $38,399 at Saint Paul 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, Saint Paul College or Bethany Lutheran College?
Saint Paul College: its completers carry a median $10,925 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bethany Lutheran College, a difference of $12,075. 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 40% at Saint Paul 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.