Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Mishawaka, Indiana
98.7% Acceptance Rate
Bethel University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.7%Acceptance Rate
3.46Avg GPA
1073Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$42,276Annual Cost
$48,860Grad Salary
35.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.7%
Avg GPA
3.46
Avg SAT
1073
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
940–1190
ACT Middle 50%
19–24
Need-Based Aid
35.2% receive Pell
Bethel University is a private, comprehensive institution in Indiana that emphasizes the integration of faith, academic excellence, and professional preparation. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, potential for campus contribution, and alignment with the university's mission. The university seeks well-rounded individuals who are ready to thrive in a small, supportive learning environment where mentorship is prioritized.
Successful applicants should emphasize their participation in community service, athletics, or student leadership roles, as these reflect the university's mission of preparing students for service and leadership. A strong personal statement should discuss how the student's personal and professional goals align with the university's commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. The admissions committee values applicants who show maturity and a clear, thoughtful approach to their future career and academic development within a community-centered environment.
Bethel University Acceptance Rate
Bethel University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 98.7% 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 — 98.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.01
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bethel University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Bethel University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Bethel University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Bethel University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Bethel University is 3.46. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.16–3.46 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 3.66–3.86.Bethel University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.06 – 3.25
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.05
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Bethel University (Mishawaka, Indiana) is the only college in the U.S. affiliated with Missionary Church Inc., and is a separate institution from the similarly named Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota and Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee.
- All first-year students receive an automatic academic scholarship ($10,000-$18,000) based on GPA; Missionary Church congregation members receive an additional $1,500/year, with larger amounts for ministers' and Regional Directors' dependents, plus a Church Matching Scholarship (up to $1,000/year).
- Full-time students are required to attend student-led chapel three times weekly and adhere to a campus lifestyle covenant; Bethel was named Indiana's most affordable university by the Indianapolis Star in 2023.
- Bethel's Task Force Team program organizes short-term, high-impact international service missions for students; the university competes in NAIA athletics as the Pilots in the Crossroads League.
- 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 Bethel University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Bethel 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.
Bethel University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Bethel University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Bethel University Without SAT or ACT?
Bethel University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bethel University Average SAT Score: 1073
The average SAT score of admitted students at Bethel University is 1073 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1073 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Bethel 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 940, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Bethel University. 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 | 530 | 470 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 535 | 470 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1073 | 940 | 1190 |
Below 940, you're behind most admitted students; at 1190 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 1050
Can I get into Bethel University with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Bethel University'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.
Bethel University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Bethel University is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 24 |
Can I get into Bethel University with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Bethel University'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 Bethel University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bethel University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Bethel University is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Know this is Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana - one of at least three unrelated schools named "Bethel University"
Bethel University (UNITID 150145) is located in Mishawaka, Indiana, and is the official university of the Missionary Church denomination - a distinct institution from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota and Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, which have different affiliations, programs, and admission requirements. Always verify information against betheluniversity.edu specifically for the Indiana campus.
Leverage Missionary Church congregation ties for meaningful automatic scholarship stacking
As the only college affiliated with Missionary Church Inc. in the U.S., Bethel offers a genuine denominational scholarship stack: students from Missionary Church congregations automatically receive $1,500/year, dependents of licensed ministers receive $2,500/year (Regional Directors' dependents get $5,000/year), and a Church Matching Scholarship matches up to $1,000/year in scholarship money a student's local church provides - all on top of the automatic academic scholarship every first-year student already receives.
Understand the mandatory chapel and lifestyle covenant as genuine, enforced campus structure
Full-time students are required to attend student-led chapel three times weekly, and the university asks students to adhere to a lifestyle covenant - real, structural expectations, not just mission-statement language. Have a direct conversation with admissions about what the covenant specifically requires before enrolling.
Consider the Task Force Team program for short-term international missions experience
Bethel's Task Force Team program organizes short-term, high-impact international service missions for students - a distinctive, structured global-service opportunity worth referencing specifically for a student interested in missions, ministry, or international service work, rather than generic "study abroad" language.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume "Bethel University" search results or rankings all refer to this Mishawaka, Indiana campus - Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota (a considerably larger institution) and Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee are separate schools with their own distinct admission requirements, tuition rates, and program offerings; confirm any statistic against betheluniversity.edu (Indiana) specifically before including it in a student's plan.
Bethel University Profile
Full Name
Bethel University
City
Mishawaka
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
46545-5591
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Bethel University Degree Worth It?
At $42,276/year against a $48,860 median graduate salary, Bethel University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $61,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.01%.
How much does a degree from Bethel University Cost?
The sticker price is $42,276/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
35.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 48.6% take federal loans at Bethel University. File your FAFSA early and list Bethel University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Bethel University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $48,860. That's about 20% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bethel University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 1057 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Bethel University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 1075 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Bethel University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Bethel University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethel University Admissions
Median earnings for Bethel University graduates sit around $48,860 a year.
Bethel University costs roughly $42,276 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 35.2% receive a Pell Grant at Bethel University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 98.7%, Bethel University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Bethel University average a 3.46 GPA.
Bethel University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.16 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.06, Bethel 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 Bethel University — aim above 1073, ideally within the 940–1190 range admitted students typically fall in.
Bethel University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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.