Strayer University-Tennessee vs Bethel University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethel University comes closer — median earnings $47,482 against a $50,380 total, vs $40,092 at Strayer University-Tennessee. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Strayer University-Tennessee | Bethel University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,645 | $12,595 |
| Total net cost | $46,580 | $50,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,092 | $47,482 |
| Median debt | $40,621 | $27,249 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$211,940 | -$67,940 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Strayer University-Tennessee or Bethel University?
Strayer University-Tennessee, at $11,645 a year after aid versus $12,595 — a gap of $950 a year, or $3,800 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Strayer University-Tennessee or Bethel University graduates earn more?
Bethel University graduates report a median $47,482 ten years after entry, $7,390 more than the $40,092 at Strayer University-Tennessee. 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, Strayer University-Tennessee or Bethel University?
Bethel University: its completers carry a median $27,249 in federal loans versus $40,621 at Strayer University-Tennessee, a difference of $13,372. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
35% of students finish at Bethel University, against 0% at Strayer University-Tennessee. 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.