Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Daytona Beach, Florida
99.9% Acceptance Rate
Bethune-Cookman University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
99.9%Acceptance Rate
3.3Avg GPA
913Avg SAT
17Avg ACT
$29,782Annual Cost
$38,518Grad Salary
76.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
99.9%
Avg GPA
3.3
Avg SAT
913
Avg ACT
17
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
830–1000
ACT Middle 50%
15–18
Need-Based Aid
76.9% receive Pell
Bethune-Cookman University is a private, historically Black university (HBCU) in Florida that balances professional degree programs with a solid liberal arts foundation. Admissions are holistic, focusing on academic potential and character. The university seeks students who are motivated to contribute to its rich history and supportive campus community. Successful applicants should highlight their history of leadership and their clear vision for their professional future.
Bethune-Cookman University Acceptance Rate
Bethune-Cookman University (Bethune-Cookman) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 99.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 99.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.85
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bethune-Cookman University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Bethune-Cookman University is November 15 for Priority (Spring) applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Priority (Spring)
Priority (Spring)
November 15
Final (Spring)
December 15
Priority (Fall)
May 1
Final (Fall)
August 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Bethune-Cookman GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Bethune-Cookman is 3.3. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.00–3.3 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.50–3.70.Bethune-Cookman GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.90 – 3.09
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.89
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General admission figures vary by source (roughly 88%?100%); testing is not required though recommended, and average enrolled SAT/ACT scores run well below national norms.
- BSN Nursing requires a fully separate application after general admission: pre-nursing declaration, C or better (no pass/fail) in all prerequisites, overall GPA of 3.0+, and a composite score of 138+ (with benchmarked subscores) on the NLN Nursing Entrance Exam.
- B-CU was on SACSCOC probation for governance and financial sustainability issues from 2018?2020 and returned to good standing in September 2020; it does not appear on SACSCOC's most recent (June 2026) warning/probation list, though leadership changed in January 2025 - worth confirming current status directly.
- No on-campus ROTC; students access Air Force or Navy ROTC through cooperating nearby host institutions while completing academics at B-CU.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Bethune-Cookman
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Bethune-Cookman University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Bethune-Cookman University (Bethune-Cookman) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Bethune-Cookman is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Bethune-Cookman Without SAT or ACT?
Bethune-Cookman considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bethune-Cookman University Average SAT Score: 913
The average SAT score of admitted students at Bethune-Cookman University is 913 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 913 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1000 SAT or 18 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Bethune-Cookman University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 830, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Bethune-Cookman. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 440 | 400 | 480 |
| SAT Reading | 475 | 430 | 520 |
| SAT Composite | 913 | 830 | 1000 |
Below 830, you're behind most admitted students; at 1000 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 900
Can I get into Bethune-Cookman University (Bethune-Cookman) with a 1000 SAT?
A 1000 SAT puts you ahead of most of Bethune-Cookman's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Bethune-Cookman University (Bethune-Cookman) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Bethune-Cookman is 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a real advantage.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 16 | 15 | 16 |
| ACT English | 15 | 13 | 17 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 15 | 18 |
Can I get into Bethune-Cookman University with a 18 ACT?
A 18 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Bethune-Cookman's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Bethune-Cookman.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bethune-Cookman
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Bethune-Cookman's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Treat Nursing Admission as a Fully Separate Second Gate
A student must first be unconditionally admitted to B-CU itself, then separately declare "pre-nursing," complete all prerequisite courses with a letter grade of C or better (pass/fail grades are explicitly not accepted), maintain an overall GPA of 3.0+, and score at least 138 composite on the NLN Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) with benchmarked individual subscores - then submit a complete packet to the Nursing Program by its own deadline via Wildcat Web, which only becomes accessible after paying the university enrollment deposit. Treat "getting into B-CU" and "getting into the BSN program" as two entirely separate applications on two different timelines.
Prepare for the NEX Subscore Benchmarks, Not Just the Composite
Because the 138 composite score comes with benchmarked scores on individual areas, a strong score in one section can't compensate for a weak one elsewhere. Prepare - and if needed, retest - with attention to each individual subject area of the exam specifically, not just the overall number.
Understand That STEM Scholarships Require Participation, Not Just GPA
For a STEM-focused student pursuing the STUT-STEMEx scholarship track, the award requires active, ongoing participation - faculty mentor meetings, special topic seminars, field trips, an annual scholarship reception, and survey responses even post-graduation - in addition to maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Dropping a class below full-time status or a semester GPA dipping below 3.0 triggers probation; staying passively enrolled without attending programming risks the award even with acceptable grades.
Plan ROTC Logistics Through a Host Campus Early
B-CU has no on-campus ROTC; students access Air Force or Navy ROTC through cooperating nearby host institutions while completing academics at B-CU. Contact the specific host campus's ROTC department directly during the application process, since coordinating cross-enrollment, scheduling, and transportation needs lead time B-CU's own admissions office won't manage.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes see B-CU's reported acceptance figures (ranging from roughly 88% to 100% depending on source) and its test-optional, GED-accepting general admission policy, and assume that openness carries into competitive programs like Nursing, which requires a completely separate application, a hard 3.0 GPA floor, C-or-better prerequisite grades with no pass/fail exceptions, and a benchmarked entrance exam score. Separately: B-CU underwent real governance turmoil in the past year - an abrupt presidential resignation and a board leadership change in January 2025 - though its SACSCOC accreditation itself remains in good standing as of the most recently published accreditation actions; confirm current leadership and accreditation status independently close to application time given the pace of recent change.
Bethune-Cookman Profile
Full Name
Bethune-Cookman University (Bethune-Cookman)
City
Daytona Beach
State
Florida
ZIP Code
32114-3099
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Bethune-Cookman Degree Worth It?
Bethune-Cookman offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $50,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.59%.
How much does a degree from Bethune-Cookman Cost?
The sticker price is $29,782/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
76.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 79.2% take federal loans at Bethune-Cookman. File your FAFSA early and list Bethune-Cookman as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Bethune-Cookman Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $38,518. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bethune-Cookman University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Bethune-Cookman University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Bethune-Cookman University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
Degree Programs at Bethune-Cookman
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethune-Cookman Admissions
Median earnings for Bethune-Cookman University graduates sit around $38,518 a year.
At about $29,782 a year, Bethune-Cookman University is on the more affordable end.
With 76.9% of Bethune-Cookman University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Bethune-Cookman University is the key move.
At 99.9%, Bethune-Cookman University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Bethune-Cookman University average a 3.3 GPA.
Bethune-Cookman University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.9, Bethune-Cookman University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Bethune-Cookman University — aim above 913, ideally within the 830–1000 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Bethune-Cookman University is November 15 for Priority (Spring) applicants.
The application fee is 35. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.