Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Paul, Minnesota
91% Acceptance Rate
Bethel University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
1243Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$56,310Annual Cost
$63,764Grad Salary
19%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
1243
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1065–1240
ACT Middle 50%
23–29
Need-Based Aid
19% receive Pell
Bethel University, founded in 1871, is Minnesota's leading evangelical Christian university with strong nursing and seminary programs. The Arden Hills campus features the newly renovated Brushaber Commons. Bethel's 'Christ and Culture' core integrates faith with learning.
Bethel University Acceptance Rate
Bethel University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 91% 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 — 91% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.15
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, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Action
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.
Early Action
November 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 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 3.6. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.30 and 3.6? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.80–4.00.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
3.60 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.20 – 3.39
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.19
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The application requires two separate essays of 150?1,000 words each: your relationship with Jesus Christ, and why you want to attend Bethel.
- Admission standards list a 3.0 unweighted GPA and an optional 21 ACT/920 SAT as the university's stated minimums.
- All admitted students must affirm the Covenant for Life Together, a formal lifestyle and community agreement tied to Bethel's evangelical Christian mission.
- Admissions are rolling beginning August 1 with no application fee; unofficial transcripts are accepted for initial review.
- 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: 1243
The average SAT score of admitted students at Bethel University is 1243 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1243 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1240 SAT or 29 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 1065, 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 | 580 | 545 | 615 |
| SAT Reading | 573 | 520 | 625 |
| SAT Composite | 1243 | 1065 | 1240 |
Below 1065, you're behind most admitted students; at 1240 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 1250
Can I get into Bethel University with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 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 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 21 | 28 |
| ACT English | 26 | 21 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 23 | 29 |
Can I get into Bethel University with a 29 ACT?
A 29 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
Bethel University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Answer Both Halves of the Essay Prompt Separately and Specifically
Bethel's application asks for two distinct essays of 150?1,000 words each: one on your relationship with Jesus Christ, one on why you want to attend Bethel. Admissions readers see hundreds of applicants blend these into one vague "spiritual growth" narrative - don't. Write essay one as a concrete faith story with specific turning points, doubts, and current practices, and write essay two by naming actual Bethel programs, professors, or communities you've researched. The admission standards explicitly state your faith must be "articulated through your admissions essay," meaning this essay functions as the interview Bethel doesn't otherwise conduct.
Read the Covenant for Life Together Before You Sign It
Every admitted student affirms Bethel's Covenant for Life Together, a lifestyle and community agreement rooted in the school's "irenic and pietistic" Baptist heritage. Reference specific language from the covenant (seeking truth, growing as whole and holy persons, living well in community) in your "why Bethel" essay - it signals to reviewers that you understand what you're committing to beyond academics, which matters more at a mission-driven school like Bethel than at a secular peer.
Treat the 3.0 GPA as the Real Bar, Not the Optional Test Score
Bethel is test-optional, and the school's stated standards list a 21 ACT/920 SAT as optional - but the unweighted 3.0 GPA is a stated minimum admissions standard. If your GPA sits below 3.0, submitting a strong test score (Bethel also accepts the CLT) becomes your best lever to offset it, since files are reviewed individually and additional information can be requested. Don't skip testing by default just because it's optional if your transcript is borderline.
Use Rolling Admissions and the Free Application to Apply Early for Aid Planning
Bethel charges no application fee and runs true rolling admissions starting August 1, reviewing files as soon as they're complete rather than batching by deadline. Because Bethel distributed roughly $30 million in institutional aid last year, applying and completing financial aid paperwork early in the cycle - not just before a deadline - gives your assigned admissions counselor more runway to build a competitive aid package before funds are allocated to earlier files.
Expert Insight:
The most common rejection/delay trigger at Bethel isn't GPA or test scores - it's submitting a combined, generic "spiritual journey" essay that never directly and separately answers both required prompts (faith relationship and reason for Bethel specifically). Because Bethel states the essay is where your faith must be "articulated" for admission purposes, a vague or merged response reads as an incomplete application even if word counts are technically met.
Bethel University Profile
Full Name
Bethel University
City
Saint Paul
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
55112
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Bethel University Degree Worth It?
At $56,310/year against a $63,764 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 $77,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.46%.
How much does a degree from Bethel University Cost?
The sticker price is $56,310/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
19% of students receive a Pell Grant and 47.3% 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 $63,764. That's about 57% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1242 | 29 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | 1242 | 27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Bethel University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethel University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Bethel University run about $63,764 a year.
At about $56,310 a year, Bethel University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Bethel University's Pell Grant rate of 19.0% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 91%, Bethel University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Bethel University average a 3.6 GPA.
Bethel University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.3 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.2, 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 1243, ideally within the 1065–1240 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Bethel University is November 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 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.
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