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Bethel University

#850 in US ranking Saint Paul, MN
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Bethel University award

Cost

Cost / year
$60,066
Tuition & fees
$26,240
Avg. aid
$24,856
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
1190–1300
ACT range
22–28

Outcomes

Graduation rate
71%
Median salary
$52,349
1 yr after graduation

What does Bethel University offer in terms of athletics?

Bethel's Royals compete in NCAA Division III athletics and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The supplied institutional athletics designation conflicts with this established varsity affiliation, so applicants should distinguish the Minnesota Royals from similarly named schools when reviewing teams and schedules.

Representative varsity sports include football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, and track and field. Club, intramural, and recreational activities are different from varsity competition and may offer ways to participate without joining an intercollegiate roster. NCAA Division III schools do not award athletic scholarships on the basis of athletic ability; a prospective athlete should discuss roster opportunities and other forms of aid separately.

What student groups and Associations are available at Bethel University?

Bethel students can take part in student government and organizations built around academic interests, service, faith, the arts, and recreation. Bethel Student Government is a representative avenue for involvement; the Bethel Business and Economics Association is an example of a subject-focused group.

Campus media and performing arts offer other possibilities, including a student-run newspaper, radio, theater, and choral activity. Recreational sports provide a different form of involvement from varsity athletics. Club rosters and activity levels can change from year to year, so students looking for a particular community should check the current recognized-organization directory and meeting schedule.

Who studies at Bethel University?

Bethel reported 3,603 students across its programs. That institution-wide total includes more than the traditional residential undergraduate population; the university also serves adult, graduate, and seminary students.

In the reported entering undergraduate data, there were 429 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students and 100 transfer-in students. Minnesota residents made up the large majority of the reported geographic population, with students from other U.S. states also represented. These figures help describe whom Bethel enrolls, but they should not be used to assume that every class or program has the same mix.

The available age data spans teenagers through adults over 50, consistent with Bethel's combination of traditional and adult-oriented education. An applicant comparing peer experiences should look at the population in their specific program and format, not just the university-wide headcount.

How does student life look like at Bethel University?

Everyday student life at Bethel combines a residential undergraduate campus with programs designed for commuters and working adults. A student attending classes on the Arden Hills campus may encounter chapel and faith-related programming, student activities, performances, recreation, and campus gatherings; an online student's experience will differ.

Welcome Week provides an entry point for new students. Bethel also reports on-campus health and personal counseling services, which are worth locating early rather than only when a need becomes urgent. With a substantial share of students living on campus and others commuting, the timing of events and access to campus services may matter as much as whether an activity exists.

What libraries are available to students at Bethel University?

Bethel's university library provides academic research support, study space, and access to scholarly materials. Students can use library services for finding sources and navigating databases rather than relying only on material freely available on the web.

Reported amenities include reservable study rooms. Students who need late-night access should check current building hours: the available profile does not identify a study area that routinely operates 24 hours a day. Online and adult learners should ask how to access licensed electronic resources remotely and how to request material that the library does not hold.

Bethel University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

3603

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

480

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

144 full time, 250 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Bethel University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 2,755
Graduate: 848

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 2,232
Part-time: 1,371

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 264
Men: 216

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 148
Black or African American: 106
White: 1,461
American Indian or Alaska Native: 4
Asian: 76
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 5
Two or more races: 76
Unknown: 33

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Bethel University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men––

Basketball

BothBoth–

Cross-country running

Both––

Football

MenWomen–

Golf

Both––

Ice hockey

BothMen–

Lacrosse

BothBoth–

Rugby

MenMen–

Skiing (cross-country)

–Both–

Soccer

Both––

Softball

Women––

Tennis

Both––

Track and field

Both––

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

BothBoth–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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