Bethel Admission Requirements

  • 3/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • McKenzie, TN
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#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

Bethel Admission Overview

Bethel admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Bethel admitted 60.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (A-) and SAT 830-1120 / ACT 15-21. Bethel is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bethel Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

60.2%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Bethel University

Acceptance Rate

The Bethel acceptance rate is 60.2%. Last year, 895 of 1,486 applicants were admitted. That is the 8th lowest acceptance rate in Tennessee.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Bethel and can you get accepted?

Bethel is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Bethel University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bethel GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.6

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.6

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Bethel typically have around a 3.6 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Bethel is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #16 in Tennessee for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Bethel SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

830-1120

Freshmen who sent SAT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 410
  • Math 420
  • Composite 830
SAT 25th percentile scores for Bethel University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 570
  • Math 550
  • Composite 1120
SAT 75th percentile scores for Bethel University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Bethel typically score around a 980 SAT (middle 50% 830–1120) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 36th percentile nationally. Bethel ranks #32 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 830 to 1120

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Bethel is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 980 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Bethel University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1120+ Above 75th >74%
980 to 1120 Avg + 61%-74%
830 to 980 Avg - 44%-61%
Below 830 Below mid-50 <44%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bethel ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

15-21

Freshmen reporting ACT

88%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 14
  • Math 15
  • Composite 15
ACT 25th percentile scores for Bethel University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 21
  • Math 20
  • Composite 21
ACT 75th percentile scores for Bethel University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Bethel typically have around a 18 ACT (mid-50 15–21) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 38th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Bethel places #33 among colleges in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 15 to 21

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Bethel without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 18.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Bethel University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
21+ Above 75th >74%
18 to 21 Avg + 60%-74%
15 to 18 Avg - 44%-60%
Below 15 Below mid-50 <44%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

55% of Bethel University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 25% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Bethel University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 25%
Top 25% of class 55%
Top 50% of class 84%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Bethel chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Bethel University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 796 686 1,486
Accepted 462 430 895
Acceptance Rate 58% 63% 60%
Enrolled 119 169 288
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 26% 39% 32%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bethel University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bethel University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bethel University is $30.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Bethel University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Bethel is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 60.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (830-1120); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Bethel University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219718.

GPA calculator: Bethel University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026