Dr. Gene Pfeifer President | Bethany Lutheran College
Dr. Gene Pfeifer President | Bethany Lutheran College
Data shows that students paid $12,033 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $350 more than the previous school year.
Among the two institutions in the county, Bethany Lutheran College stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $29,010. Minnesota State University-Mankato followed with an average of $10,972 per year.
At the time, a total of $12.2 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Blue Earth County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $14.1 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | 1,487 | $8,621,041 | $5,798 | 1,300 | $13,248,671 | $10,191 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | 176 | $3,553,725 | $20,192 | 100 | $864,231 | $8,642 |
Alerts Sign-up