University Facts

Approvals and authorizations:
Bethel University is authorized by the State of Indiana to operate as a postsecondary institution. Bethel University participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) as an approved Indiana NC-SARA institution.

Complaints:
Complaints regarding Bethel University can be filed through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. See submission process, limitations and guidelines.

The Higher Learning Commission:

Bethel University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
(800) 621-7440

Other Accreditations and Approval Bodies:

• Indiana Division of Professional Standards, 251 East Ohio Street, Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2133
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 223-0077
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000
• Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Indiana State Board of Nursing, 402 West Washington Street, Room W072, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, (317) 234-2043
• Public Laws 16, 346, 550 and 894, for training veterans and their survivors
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190
• National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Bethel University Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Degrees

Bethel University Adult And Graduate Programs

Adult Programs Graduate Programs

Consortium Agreements

The number of credits earned under an approved consortium agreement is integrated into the student’s record upon completion of the course. Note: Courses must first be approved for transfer by the Bethel University Registrar’s Office. The Consortium Agreement is also subject to approval by both the home and host institution’s authorized financial aid staff. Failure to complete the course/s could negatively reflect in the SAP evaluation. Financial Aid staff from the home school will request information from the host school during the enrolled term to confirm continued enrollment and (at the end of the term) satisfactory academic progress. Failure to complete the course/s or completing a course/s in a manner that does not comply with the University’s transfer standards will result in financial aid suspension and future requests for a consortium agreement will not be considered. If a SAP appeal is approved, unearned hours under the consortium agreement will not be calculated when future progress reviews occur.

Differences in Disability Services Between High School and College

Review of Applicable Laws, Goal, Documentation, Parental Role, Student Role, Teacher/Professors/Curriculum/Grades, Course Selections and Requirements, Process, and Housing Accommodations as the apply to high schools, college and Bethel University.

Download PDF

Documentation and Verification Guidelines for Medical Professionals

In order to receive disability-related accommodations and/or service from Bethel University, students may be asked to submit documents of disability to verify eligibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments ACT (ADA AA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Bethel University Disability Services policy. For these purposes, disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities. Major life activities include but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.
Review the full policy.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

The Bethel University Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program extends far beyond the minimum requirements for such programs. Since Bethel does not permit the use of alcohol or drugs on or off campus, abuse problems tend to be hidden. For this reason, the extensive program strives to reach five distinct outcomes:

1. Training and information may prevent some students, faculty and staff from abusing drugs and alcohol.
2. Training for the campus community so that they will more readily identify current problems.
3. An increase in the level of competency of intervention techniques in a manner that is caring and correct.
4. Better referrals to appropriate agencies and follow up with needed support.
5. A campus-based, user-friendly resource center housing specific, needed information.

Download the full description of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program:

Download PDF

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

1. Right to and procedures for inspecting and reviewing a student’s educational records
2. Right to and procedures for requesting amendment of a student’s education records
3. Right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records
4. Right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education
5. Right to obtain a copy of the student records policy

Copies of the student records policy are available in the online academic catalog.

Contact the Registrar’s Office with questions.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students receiving financial aid must maintain good academic standing with the college in order to qualify for continued financial aid awards. Read the full policy (PDF).

Offices to Contact

For information regarding student financial assistance
Office of Student Financial Services
574.807.7277
Send Email

For information regarding academics
Academic Services Office
574.807.7250
Send Email

For information regarding our residential campus
Student Development Office
574.807.7440
Send Email

For information regarding distance learning student complaint process
This complaint form allows students the ability to submit a concern regarding Bethel University’s online programs facilitated through Adult and Graduate Studies. A representative from the university will contact you within 72 hours. Access the Indiana Commission of Higher Education website for further information regarding the complaint process.
Student Complaint Process for Online Learning Form

For information regarding our campus crime statistics
Campus Safety Office

You may also reference the Department of Education Campus Crime Statistics

For information regarding copyright policies
Copyright Infringement Policy (PDF)

Misrepresentation

In the case of written allegations or complaints from a student enrolled at the institution, a prospective student, the family of a student or prospective student, or a governmental official, the complaint must be addressed to the Office of the President. Upon receipt of such a complaint, the president will begin an investigation and determine if further action is warranted.

Return of Title IV Aid Policy and Procedures

Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. Read the full policy (PDF).

Special Facilities

Services for students with disabilities are provided by the Center for Academic Success, located in the Academic Center. Services may include assistance with note-taking, alternative testing, books on tape, or other accommodations deemed reasonable and necessary by qualified professionals. To receive these services, a student must provide documentation of his/her disability. The Center for Academic Success personnel also coordinates the peer tutoring program and Twenty-First Century Scholars Program.

Tuition and Fees

See current costs for attending Bethel University as an undergraduate, adult and graduate student.

Bethel is a member of or partners with:

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education
• AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies (participating partner)
• Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
• Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
• Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI/ICIF)
• Indiana Commission of Higher Education (ICHE) (participating partner)
• Jerusalem University College
• National League for Nursing
• National Organization of Associate Degree Nurses (N-OADN)
• Northern Indiana Consortium for Education (NICE)

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2022-23 (entering class of 2017)
Number of students in 2017 entering class: 229
Overall six-year graduation rate for the class: 57%
Graduation rate for females: 62%
Graduation rate for males: 51%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 38%
Graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients: 45%
Graduation rate for non-Pell Grant recipients: 67%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2021-22 (entering class of 2016)
Number of students in 2016 entering class: 241
Overall six-year graduation rate for the class: 57%
Graduation rate for females: 57%
Graduation rate for males: 57%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 52%
Graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients: 53%
Graduation rate for non-Pell Grant recipients: 60%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2020-21 (entering class of 2015)
Number of students in 2015 entering class: 280
Overall six-year graduation rate for the class: 63%
Graduation rate for females: 67%
Graduation rate for males: 59%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 48%
Graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients: 55%
Graduation rate for non-Pell Grant recipients: 70%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2019-20 (entering class of 2014)
Number of students in 2014 entering class: 220
Overall six-year graduation rate for the class: 62%
Graduation rate for females: 61%
Graduation rate for males: 64%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 46%
Graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients: 52%
Graduation rate for non-Pell Grant recipients: 72%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2018-19 (entering class of 2013)
Number of students in 2013 entering class: 249
Overall six-year graduation rate for the class: 68%
Graduation rate for females: 65%
Graduation rate for males: 71%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 48%
Graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients: 61%
Graduation rate for non-Pell Grant recipients: 73%

Equity in Athletics Report

This report is designed to make prospective students aware of a school’s commitment to providing equitable athletic opportunities for its men and women students. View the Equity in Athletics Report.
Download the current eligibility report (12MB pdf)

Athletic Graduation Rates

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2022-23 for those receiving athletic aid (entering class of 2017)
Number of students receiving athletic aid: 71
Overall six-year graduation rate for those receiving athletic aid: 63%
Graduation rate for females: 68%
Graduation rate for males: 58%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 50%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2021-22 for those receiving athletic aid (entering class of 2016)
Number of students receiving athletic aid: 58
Overall six-year graduation rate for those receiving athletic aid: 62%
Graduation rate for females: 65%
Graduation rate for males: 58%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 64%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2020-21 for those receiving athletic aid (entering class of 2015)
Number of students receiving athletic aid: 46
Overall six-year graduation rate for those receiving athletic aid: 59%
Graduation rate for females: 59%
Graduation rate for males: 58%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 43%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2019-20 for those receiving athletic aid (entering class of 2014)
Number of students receiving athletic aid: 60
Overall six-year graduation rate for those receiving athletic aid: 68%
Graduation rate for females: 64%
Graduation rate for males: 71%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 40%

Six-Year Graduation Rates from 2018-19 for those receiving athletic aid (entering class of 2013)
Number of students receiving athletic aid: 87
Overall six-year graduation rate for those receiving athletic aid: 75%
Graduation rate for females: 71%
Graduation rate for males: 79%
Graduation rate for ethnic minorities: 50%

Official School Cohort Default Rate
This website provides student loan default rate data for all colleges in the United States. View the Official School Cohort Default Rate.

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Learn about diversity & belonging here.

2020 Trends in Online Student Demographics
A report by Best Colleges that looks at the characteristics of today’s online students. Additional insights related to the motivation for enrolling and perspectives across the student journey are included.

Download Here

Top Tier College

For 16 consecutive years, Bethel* has been recognized as a top tier college by U.S. News Media Group. The 2019 edition of “U.S. News Best Colleges” ranked Bethel No. 30 on the list. The rankings evaluate colleges and universities on 16 measures of academic quality, including outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion, financial resources, student excellence and alumni giving.

Bethel was also ranked No. 16 on the list of “Best Undergraduate Teaching – Regional Universities Midwest.”

Best Bang for the Buck Colleges

Bethel* was ranked No. 36 in the Midwest on the Washington Monthly “2020 Best Bang for the Buck Colleges – Midwest” list, which rates colleges that are doing the best job of helping non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

Exceeding Expectations

Christian Universities Online ranked Bethel* number one on their 2016 list of “Top 50 Christian Colleges and Universities Exceeding Expectations.” The list ranked schools from across the United States in how well they enhanced their students’ academic careers from acceptance through graduation.

College of Distinction

Bethel* is one of 10 Indiana colleges to be recognized as a 2020-2021 College of Distinction, and one of 63 schools in the nation to be named a Christian College of Distinction. This honor is given to colleges and universities that excel in the Four Distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.

Money Magazine

Bethel* was been named to Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges in America” 2022 list. ranked by value. Money analyzed more than 600 four-year colleges and scored them based on 24 measures in three areas: quality, affordability and outcomes. Bethel is number eight of the Indiana colleges and universities who appeared on this year’s list.

Visit our News section to read about all our rankings.

*ON MAY 6, 2019, BETHEL COLLEGE CHANGED ITS NAME TO BETHEL UNIVERSITY.

All Rankings

See all our rankings in the gallery at the bottom of this page.