Walters State Community College 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 $37,085 at Walters State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Walters State Community College | Bethel University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,387 | $12,595 |
| Total net cost | $10,774 | $50,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,085 | $47,482 |
| Median debt | — | $27,249 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$236,274 | -$67,940 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Walters State Community College or Bethel University?
Walters State Community College, at $5,387 a year after aid versus $12,595 — a gap of $7,208 a year, or $39,606 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Walters State Community College or Bethel University graduates earn more?
Bethel University graduates report a median $47,482 ten years after entry, $10,397 more than the $37,085 at Walters State Community 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 graduates more of its students?
35% of students finish at Bethel University, against 33% at Walters State Community 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.