Head-to-head comparison
Walden University vs Bethany Lutheran College: which has better ROI?
Option A Minneapolis, MN
Walden University
- Net price / year
- $33,817
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,810
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Mankato, MN
Bethany Lutheran College
- Net price / year
- $20,148
- Earnings, 10 years
- $46,110
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethany Lutheran College comes closer — median earnings $46,110 against a $80,592 total, vs $42,810 at Walden University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Walden University | Bethany Lutheran College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,817 | $20,148 |
| Total net cost | $135,268 | $80,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,810 | $46,110 |
| Median debt | $20,834 | $23,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,268 | -$125,592 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Walden University or Bethany Lutheran College?
Bethany Lutheran College, at $20,148 a year after aid versus $33,817 — a gap of $13,669 a year, or $54,676 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Walden University or Bethany Lutheran College graduates earn more?
Bethany Lutheran College graduates report a median $46,110 ten years after entry, $3,300 more than the $42,810 at Walden University. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Walden University or Bethany Lutheran College?
Walden University: its completers carry a median $20,834 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bethany Lutheran College, a difference of $2,166. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.