Bethel University

Bethel University: Where Students Become Whole and Holy

Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., offers a wide range of academic majors to its students, giving them options that can take them virtually anywhere.

Bethel offers 61 majors and 88 vocational fields -- making it one of the most comprehensive Christian liberal arts universities in the nation. With an average class size of just 23 and a student-faculty member ratio of 12:1, professors get to know the students and what they are capable of achieving.

Plus, students get the study support and faculty member advising they need to graduate on time. Since 2001, 63% of entering freshmen graduate from Bethel in 4 years or fewer. (A small but growing number of students graduate in fewer than 4 years by using previously earned college credits, resulting in significant college cost savings.) Just 40% of students graduate in 4 years from the largest public university in our region. In fact, the average 6-year graduation rate for the 11 public universities in Minnesota is 56%, compared with 73% at Bethel. The difference in net cost between Bethel and a public university is offset by both the fact that Bethel students graduate sooner (and avoid additional years of school expense) and get a jump-start on employment and earning.

Bethel has an excellent track record for getting students into the graduate programs of their choice. For example, of those Bethel students applying to medical school within 3 years of graduation, approximately 90% were accepted into medical school. In the physics program -- named among the nation's top 21 -- virtually all students who graduated with a major in physics and went to graduate school in physics or engineering had full financial support from fellowships and assistantships. The physics department consistently ranks in the top 10 in the nation in terms of number of graduates from an undergraduate-only program.

Bethel University started as a seminary for Swedish Baptist pastors in 1871. Today, the university has a college, a seminary, a graduate school, and a degree completion program for adults -- enrolling approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries. About 2,800 of those students are undergraduates.

Bethel University: Where Values Matter

Bethel University's values are firmly rooted in the Christian faith. Bethel is committed to preparing Christ-followers who live out the mission of Jesus, character-builders who develop as whole people, truth-seekers who recognize that God is the source of all truth, learners committed to academic excellence, and students who honor the worth and dignity of all people. Graduates of Bethel University reflect the love of Christ to a broken world and are devoted to shaping that world through servant leadership.

At this Minnesota school, students examine what they believe and why. They probe pressing issues from a variety of viewpoints, alongside Scripture, and form a habit of thinking critically and biblically. Bethel students do all this to sort through the ideas of culture and to serve as transforming leaders in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

Bethel University: A Vibrant Campus and Community

Bethel University students enter into a campus community that's close-knit and active.

The university sits on 247 beautiful lakeside acres in St. Paul, Minn., on a campus with wooded walking paths and its own disc golf course. The new student commons, with a front-row view of the lake, connects students to all academic buildings through skyways. Also, the campus dining areas offer a huge menu of choices tailored to a variety of tastes -- including pasta, deli sandwiches, made-to-order salads, paninis, grilled food, and brick-oven pizza.

Bethel University provides its students with a wide range of fun activities: club and intramural sports -- including a legendary broomball league -- community service opportunities, political clubs, and student organizations. Bethel also offers 18 varsity sports, ministry opportunities, honor societies, theatre productions, music performance groups, and much more.

In a Christian community that's shaped by worship, small group ministry, and service, Bethel University students are surrounded by people intent on helping them grow in every way -- in body, mind, and spirit.

Students at Bethel are also challenged to get off campus to broaden their horizons and see the world through the eyes of others. With the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis just minutes away, students work in urban communities as tutors or take on service projects. Additionally, Bethel University offers more than 30 study abroad destinations, and most cost no more than tuition.

• Area and ethnic studies
• Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Accounting and Finance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Communication
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mass Communication/Media
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Journalism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English/Language Arts Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social Studies Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biology Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Chemistry Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• French Language Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish Language Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English as a Second/Foreign Language (Teaching)
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering
• Engineering Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• Linguistics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Athletic Training
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Environmental Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Environmental Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Social Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• International Relations and Affairs
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Theology and religious vocations
• Biblical Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Religious/Sacred Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Youth Ministry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fine/Studio Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music Performance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied2,314
• Accepted1,905
• Acceptance Rate82%
• Enrolled3,486
• Female Applicants1,453
• Females Accepted1,221
• Female Acceptance Rate84%
• Male Applicants861
• Males Accepted684
• Male Acceptance Rate79%
• Applying
• Application Fee$
• Required for All Essay or personal statement
  Transcript of high school record
  rank in upper 50% of high school class
  
• Required for Some Letter(s) of recommendation
  
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.50
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen Yes
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Yes
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Yes
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 582 500 670
• SAT Math 576 520 635
• SAT Writing
• ACT Composite 25 22 28
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$29,320
• Out-of-state tuition *$29,320
• In-district tuitionN/A
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$140.00
• Room and board *$8,530.00
• Room only *$4,900.00
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planYes
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students3,486
• Male Student Percentage39%
• Female Student Percentage61%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino1.66%
• Black or African American4.73%
• White or Caucasian80.41%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.14%
• Asian2.18%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.09%
• Two or more races2.15%
• Unknown5.79%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout.27% representing 6 other countries
• Out-of-state Students22% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing , Special housing for disabled
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 69%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities No
• Greek sororities No
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations No
• Most popular organizations campus ministries small groups, Pre-Medical Club, College Democrats/College Republicans, Student Activities, Tri Beta (biology honors society)
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Yes
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other video surveillance for residence halls, academic buildings, and parking lots

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Badmington Yes No No
• Baseball No Division 3 No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Football Yes Division 3 No
• Golf No Division 3 No
• Ice hockey Yes Division 3 No
• Lacrosse Yes No No
• Rugy Yes No No
• Soccer No Division 3 No
• Softball Yes No No
• Tennis No Division 3 No
• Track No Division 3 No
• Volleyball No Division C No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Badmington Yes No No
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Football No No No
• Golf No Division 3 No
• Ice hockey No Division 3 No
• Lacrosse Yes No No
• Rugy No No No
• Soccer No Division 3 No
• Softball Yes Division 3 No
• Tennis No Division 3 No
• Track No Division 3 No
• Volleyball Yes Division 3 No

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty308
• Full-time Percentage60%
• Part-time Percentage40%
• Female Percentage50%
• Male Percentage50%
• Student:Faculty Ratio12:1 or 2,788 students to 226 faculty