Olivet Nazarene University vs Bethel University
Olivet Nazarene University and Bethel University, both rooted in Christian values, offer distinct educational experiences. Olivet Nazarene, located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, boasts a higher acceptance rate (86%) compared to Bethel University's 78% in St. Paul, Minnesota. While Bethel University has a larger student body, Olivet Nazarene maintains a smaller community, fostering closer connections among students and faculty. Both universities offer diverse academic programs, with Olivet Nazarene excelling in nursing, business, and education, while Bethel University shines in business, social sciences, and psychology. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique strengths, graduation rates, and student demographics, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Bethel University |
![]() Olivet Nazarene University |
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Overview |
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Location | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Bourbonnais, Illinois |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Small |
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 | 86.0% | 78.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Baptist | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.7% | 60.6% |
Application fees | $25 | |
SAT range | 1123 - 1343 | 970 - 1200 |
ACT range | 20 - 28 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 4.0% | 39.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 57.0% | 26.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,050 | 5,881 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,818 | 3,561 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 504 | 661 |
Yield rate | 27.7% | 18.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $55,228 | $51,840 |
Average net price | $28,840 | $20,431 |
Tuition | $39,920 | $36,450 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,990
Meal plan:
$5,160
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$9,490 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $24,534 |
100.0%
Average amount $28,396 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,559 |
78.0%
Average amount $5,436 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $15,453 |
11.0%
Average amount $12,187 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,653
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
2,643
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students |
1,078
Men 32.5% Women 67.5% |
819
Men 23.0% Women 77.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.4% | N/A |
International students | 0.8% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,819 | 2,479 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa South Dakota Illinois | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 74.3% | 63.8% |
Dropout rate | 25.0% | 35.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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