Bethany College vs Harvard
Bethany College and Harvard University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of size, selectivity, and academic offerings. Bethany College, a small liberal arts college nestled in the heart of West Virginia, offers a close-knit community and personalized attention to its students. Harvard University, an Ivy League powerhouse located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, boasts a world-renowned reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research. With acceptance rates of 68% and 5%, respectively, these institutions cater to different student profiles and aspirations. While Bethany College excels in nurturing well-rounded individuals with a strong liberal arts foundation, Harvard University attracts top scholars seeking specialized knowledge in a wide range of disciplines. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover how these institutions stack up against each other in terms of popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Bethany College |
![]() Harvard University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bethany, West Virginia | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 65.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 73.6% | 4.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$105
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SAT range | 870 - 1110 | 1480 - 1580 |
ACT range | 18 - 26 | 33 - 36 |
Students submitting SAT score | 10.0% | 54.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 31.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,522 | 57,786 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,855 | 2,318 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 167 | 1,951 |
Yield rate | 9.0% | 84.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $45,980 | $78,028 |
Average net price | $14,848 | $13,910 |
Tuition | $29,680 | $51,143 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,580
Meal plan:
$5,910
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Room/dormitory:
$11,705
Meal plan:
$7,236
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $30,912 |
56.0%
Average amount $59,840 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
76.0%
Average amount $6,230 |
3.0%
Average amount $5,180 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $10,052 |
2.0%
Average amount $8,080 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
545
Men 52.5% Women 47.5% |
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0% |
Graduate students |
14
Men 71.4% Women 28.6% |
21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | N/A | 23.9% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 750 | 12,874 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 43.2% | 96.7% |
Dropout rate | 56.8% | 2.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
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