After Bethel University: graduation, pay and debt
McKenzie, Tennessee · Private · 1,547 undergrads
35% of Bethel University students finish within six years, the typical student earns $49,011 ten years after starting and graduates leave with $27,000 in federal loans at the median.
The short answers
$49k
median pay 10 years after starting college.
35%
finish within six years.
19%
finish in four years.
54%
of first-years come back for year two.
$27k
median federal debt at graduation.
34%
of borrowers were paying down their loans three years after leaving.
All the federal numbers
Finishing
Finished in four yearsCollege Scorecard, 2017 entry
19%
Finished within six yearsIPEDS, fall 2023
35%
First-years who came back for year twoCollege Scorecard, fall 2024
54%
Men who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
32%
Women who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
39%
Students in that six-year groupIPEDS, students who started in 2017
447
Earned a degree or certificate here within eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
66%
Still enrolled here after eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
26%
Students in that eight-year groupIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
549
Pay after college
Median pay 6 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard
$44,283
Median pay 10 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard, 2022-23
$49,011
Earning more than $25,000 six years after startingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
63%
Debt and paying it back
Median federal debt, students who graduatedCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
$27,000
Median federal debt, everyone who borrowed (finished or not)College Scorecard, earlier release
$16,750
Median federal debt, students with a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$17,250
Median federal debt, students without a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$15,507
Paying down their loans 3 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
34%
Paying down their loans 5 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
42%
Paying down their loans 7 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
48%
Where these numbers come from
- Admit rate and applicants: IPEDS, fall 2024 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Updated Oct 31, 2026Spot a mistake?How we get our numbers