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Bethune-Cookman University

#1147 in US ranking Daytona Beach, FL
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$29,512
Tuition & fees
$14,794
Avg. aid
$15,194
Receiving aid
98%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
830–990
Avg. ACT
17

Outcomes

Graduation rate
31%
Median salary
$36,372
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Bethune-Cookman University?

Bethune-Cookman University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval of an individual degree program.

Accreditation is an important consideration for access to federal student aid and for recognition of academic work. It does not mean that another college must accept every transfer course, or that completion of a particular major automatically satisfies professional licensing requirements. Applicants considering nursing, teacher education or another regulated profession should check that program's current approvals and the licensing rules of the state where they expect to work.

What are the admission requirements at Bethune-Cookman University?

First-year applicants to Bethune-Cookman University should be prepared to submit an application and evidence of high school completion or an equivalent credential. Secondary-school GPA is a required admissions item; the university does not have an open-admission policy.

Admissions reporting identifies SAT and ACT scores as considered but not required. For context, the median SAT composite among enrolled first-year students who submitted scores was 905; that is a description of a prior entering group, not a minimum for admission. Applicants should not treat optional recommendations, class rank or test scores as universal requirements. Students educated outside the United States or whose circumstances call for English-language proficiency documentation should review the applicable international admissions instructions, including TOEFL requirements.

Some majors may require additional steps after university admission. Applicants should also check the application instructions for their intended entry term rather than assuming that a general admissions decision secures a place in a capacity-limited professional program.

What are the application fees and waivers at Bethune-Cookman University?

Applicants should check Bethune-Cookman University's current application form for any fee before submitting it. An application charge is separate from tuition, an enrollment deposit and orientation charges.

Students who may qualify for a fee waiver should ask admissions how to document eligibility and whether approval must be obtained before payment. That question is particularly important for applicants using different application routes or applying as transfer, international or graduate students, whose procedures may differ.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Bethune-Cookman University?

Bethune-Cookman students may pursue Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC through arrangements with cooperating institutions. These are cross-enrollment opportunities, not a statement that Bethune-Cookman operates its own on-campus unit for either branch.

A student considering ROTC should confirm the host institution, travel and scheduling requirements, which Bethune-Cookman courses will accommodate, and how participation fits an intended major. ROTC participation and scholarship eligibility are separate decisions. Scholarships can have conditions, and commissioning generally entails a military service obligation; applicants should review the applicable branch's terms before committing.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Bethune-Cookman University?

Bethune-Cookman University accepts transfer applicants for fall and spring entry. Transfer admission and the award of credit for earlier coursework are separate decisions.

Applicants should arrange for official transcripts from every college attended and check whether their circumstances also require a high school record. The university reports accepting both CLEP subject and general examinations for transfer consideration, but an exam result should not be assumed to fulfill a particular major requirement. Before enrolling, a transfer student should request an official evaluation showing which credits apply to general education, the major and electives. That distinction can materially change the number of semesters - and the cost - remaining to earn a degree.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Bethune-Cookman University?

Students interested in studying abroad should plan the academic and financial details with Bethune-Cookman before committing to an overseas program. The key question is not only whether a student can participate, but whether the resulting coursework will advance the student's degree.

For a semester, short-term course or third-party program, students should obtain advance guidance on course approval, transfer credit, program costs and the treatment of scholarships or federal aid. Requirements may be especially consequential in majors with tightly sequenced courses or clinical placements. Students should also distinguish a university-operated program from an opportunity arranged through an outside provider.

Bethune-Cookman University Admissions Factors

SAT range
830–990
4001600
Avg. ACT
17
Acceptance rate
88%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
88%
Florida
69%
US
78%

10% of admitted students enrolled (1,012 of 9,701)

Bethune-Cookman University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 10,994
Admission
Total: 9,701
Enrolled
Total: 1,012
Women
Men

Bethune-Cookman University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 854
Out-of-state: 147
International: 10

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,012
Transfer: 103

Bethune-Cookman University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

905

Median composite ACT score

17

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

5%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

46%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Considered but not required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Bethune-Cookman University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

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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