Bethel University campus
Bethel University logo

Bethel University

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale Town: Distant
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 972
Religious affiliation Presbyterian
Student to faculty ratio 13 to 1
Acceptance rate 50%
Students retention rate 55%
On-time graduation rate 38%

Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, Bethel University is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

Bethel University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1, Bethel University emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

While the on-time graduation rate at Bethel University is reported to be 38%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Tennessee state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 52% whereas the national average was 58%.

The retention rate of students at Bethel University is 55% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in Tennessee is 70%, while the national average is 74%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at Bethel University do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

50%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$17,482

Cost of attendance at Bethel University in 2022 for students from Tennessee.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $9,811
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$17,482

Cost of attendance at Bethel University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $20,464
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 97 of freshman students at Bethel University received on average $14,696 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$14,696
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 291 64% $4,858 $1,413,612
Other Federal Grant 410 91% $3,969 $1,627,332
State Grant/Scholarships 342 76% $4,701 $1,607,733
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 369 82% $8,757 $3,231,344
Total Grant & Scholarships 440 97% $14,696 $6,466,409

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Bethel University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Bethel University students is 37.7%. Female students graduated at a rate of 36.2%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 38.9%.

37.7%

  • asian 100.0% 2 students
  • African American 23.6% 43 students
  • white 46.5% 134 students
  • unknown 31.8% 7 students
  • hispanic 40.0% 4 students
  • International Students 53.8% 7 students
  • Mixed Race 25.0% 2 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Mid-South Conference
  • Baseball Mid-South Conference
  • Basketball Mid-South Conference
  • Track and Cross Country Mid-South Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NAIA
    National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Service Offerings

Bethel University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Bethel University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Credit for military training

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