Overview
Enrollment
| Location | McKenzie, Tennessee |
| Online | bethelu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Cumberland Presbyterian |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Bethel University is located in McKenzie, Tennessee, approximately 120 miles west of Nashville in the rural northwestern region of the state. Established in 1842 as a Cumberland Presbyterian institution, the campus spans 247 acres featuring a mix of historic and modern academic buildings. The private liberal arts university maintains a selective admissions process and offers undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular emphasis on business, education, nursing, and criminal justice studies. Bethel competes in the Mid-South Conference of the NAIA, where its athletic programs, particularly basketball and bass fishing, have achieved national recognition. The university provides traditional dormitory housing and apartment-style residences for its undergraduate population.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Bethel is rated within the lower 24% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bethel University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#992 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#580 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#26 in Best Colleges in Tennessee
#18 in Best Private Colleges in Tennessee
#60 in Best Value Colleges in Tennessee
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 625/1100 |
| ACT | 16/24 |
| GPA | 3.6 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $30 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,288 |
| Other Fees | $1,298 |
| Room and Board | $10,537 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,920 |
| Total One Year Cost | $31,913 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 78% |
| Education | 5% |
| Biology | 3% |
| Health Professions | 3% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 2% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Bethel are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219718 IPEDS survey data for Bethel University.
Current students may use the Bethel University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025