Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
McKenzie, Tennessee
97.2% Acceptance Rate
Bethel University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
97.2%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
1035Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$32,270Annual Cost
$47,482Grad Salary
31.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
97.2%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
1035
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
625–1100
ACT Middle 50%
16–24
Need-Based Aid
31.1% receive Pell
Bethel University is a private, Christian-affiliated comprehensive university in Tennessee known for its commitment to academic excellence, faith-based learning, and professional preparation. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic achievement and the successful completion of a rigorous curriculum. The university looks for intellectually ambitious students who are ready to contribute to its vibrant, supportive campus community and take advantage of its extensive networking and professional resources.
Prospective students should highlight their consistency in academic work and their initiative in school or extracurricular organizations that showcase their professional potential. As a community-focused institution, the university values ambitious students who are ready to take advantage of its unique resources. Clearly expressing how one's professional goals align with the university's commitment to academic excellence and faith-based values is a great way to show institutional fit for a competitive application.
Bethel University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Bethel University is inclusive by design: 97.2% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 97.2% 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.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Bethel 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 (2026/02/01 (Freshman scholarship priority)) 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 GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Bethel 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.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.80–4.00.Bethel GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
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
- Bethel University (McKenzie, TN) is affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and operates additional campuses in Jackson, Nashville, Paris, Clarksville, Chattanooga, and Memphis with flexible scheduling for adult learners.
- Nursing tracks differ in requirements: ADN requires a 2.50 minimum GPA and 800 clinical hours; BSN requires a 2.75 minimum GPA and 1,000 clinical hours; both are ACEN-accredited.
- Reported acceptance rates vary widely by source and year (from roughly 23% to 97%), reflecting real enrollment volatility rather than a single stable selectivity figure.
- Protective Services, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership are among Bethel's most-awarded degree concentrations.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
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
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Bethel University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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 (Bethel) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Bethel — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Bethel Without SAT or ACT?
Bethel 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: 1035
Admitted students at Bethel University average a 1035 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1035 — Accessible
A 1035 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1100 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.
Scored under 625? A retake is worth it at Bethel — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 450 | 325 | 575 |
| SAT Reading | 413 | 300 | 525 |
| SAT Composite | 1035 | 625 | 1100 |
A score under 625 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1100+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Bethel University (Bethel) with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Bethel's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Bethel University (Bethel) ACT Requirements
Bethel's admitted students average an ACT of 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
An average of 20 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 16 | 24 |
Can I get into Bethel University with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of Bethel's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Bethel weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bethel
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Bethel is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Use Bethel's statewide campus network if a traditional four-year path doesn't fit your life
Beyond its McKenzie main campus, Bethel operates locations across Tennessee in Jackson, Nashville, Paris, Clarksville, Chattanooga, and Memphis, with face-to-face, online, and blended scheduling built specifically for adult learners balancing jobs and family responsibilities. If you're a working adult or need a flexible schedule, target one of these regional campuses and their blended format explicitly rather than assuming Bethel only offers a traditional residential experience at McKenzie.
Know your specific nursing track's GPA floor before applying
Bethel's ADN track requires a minimum 2.50 GPA with 800 clinical hours, while the BSN track requires a higher 2.75 GPA minimum with 1,000 clinical hours - two distinct thresholds for two distinct credentials, both ACEN-accredited. If your GPA sits between 2.50 and 2.75, consider whether the ADN track's lower entry bar and shorter path to licensure fits your timeline better than waiting to qualify for direct BSN entry.
Leverage Bethel's Protective Services/Homeland Security concentration if criminal justice draws you
Protective Services and Criminal Justice are among Bethel's most awarded degree categories, reflecting a genuine institutional strength beyond its size - not an incidental offering. If criminal justice, homeland security, or organizational leadership interests you, treat this as one of Bethel's core strengths and ask specifically about internship or law-enforcement partnership opportunities tied to this program.
Apply directly rather than assuming Bethel matches national averages on selectivity
Reported acceptance rates for Bethel vary significantly by source and by year (from roughly 23% to over 97% depending on the reporting period and methodology), reflecting real year-to-year enrollment volatility at a tuition-dependent regional university. Don't calibrate your application effort based on a single acceptance-rate figure you find online - apply with your full transcript and any supporting materials regardless of which number you've seen, since the actual current-cycle rate may differ substantially.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss detail is that Bethel's nursing tracks (ADN vs. BSN) have materially different GPA floors and clinical hour requirements despite being offered by the same nursing department - a student assuming "nursing is nursing" at Bethel and applying to the wrong track for their current GPA can lose time reapplying to the correct one.
Bethel Profile
Full Name
Bethel University (Bethel)
City
McKenzie
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
38201
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Bethel Degree Worth It?
At $32,270/year against a $47,482 median graduate salary, Bethel is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $50,000, and graduates see a 3.76% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Bethel Cost?
Listed tuition runs $32,270/year at Bethel; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Bethel, 31.1% receive a Pell Grant and 38.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Bethel on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Bethel Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Bethel graduates report a median income of $47,482, about 17% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 1037 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Bethel
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethel Admissions
Bethel University graduates earn a lower median salary of $47,482/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Bethel University is moderate, around $32,270/year; many students supplement with aid.
31.1% of Bethel University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Bethel University's acceptance rate is 97.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Bethel University students is 3.6, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Bethel University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.2 or below makes admission tougher at Bethel University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Bethel University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1035, and within the 625–1100 range, keeps you competitive.
Bethel University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2026/02/01 (Freshman scholarship priority) — that's Bethel University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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