Bethany Lutheran College: 58.5% Acceptance Rate

58.5%Acceptance

$30,010Tuition

682Students

60%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$46,110Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Other (not classified)

About Bethany Lutheran College

Bethany Lutheran College builds its reputation on Christian liberal arts education through the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The college enrolls 682 students in Mankato, a small Minnesota city. Founded in 1927, Bethany emphasizes integrating faith with academic learning across traditional liberal arts disciplines. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates close mentoring relationships between professors and students. Bethany's approach centers on developing both intellectual and spiritual growth in a tight-knit community setting.

Students pay an average net price of $17,680 after financial aid, well below the $30,010 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $46,110 ten years after graduation. With typical debt of $23,000, graduates face monthly loan payments of $244. The college keeps costs manageable through institutional grants averaging $20,705 for 29% of students. While earnings start modestly at $37,463 in the first year, the financial picture improves over time.

The Vikings compete in 17 NCAA Division III sports with 280 total athletes, meaning roughly 40% of students participate in varsity athletics. The 80% retention rate reflects student satisfaction with campus life. Students split almost evenly between men and women, with 66% identifying as white and 63% coming from Minnesota.

Academics & Faculty

Bethany Lutheran College operates as a Christian liberal arts institution where students explore broad academic disciplines through a faith-based lens. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know students personally and can provide individualized attention in small classes. Only 58% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the college's rigorous academic standards and the challenges some students face balancing coursework with other commitments. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, communication skills, and moral development across traditional liberal arts fields. Students often pursue education, business, and ministry-related programs. The college's Evangelical Lutheran Synod affiliation means biblical studies and Christian worldview components integrate into most academic programs, preparing graduates for service-oriented careers.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 48.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 58.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 59.6%
Retention Rate: 80.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $46,110
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

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Campus Life

Bethany Lutheran's 682 students create a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other by name. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors recognize you in the grocery store and remember your last paper topic. With housing capacity for 497 students, most underclassmen live on the compact campus in Mankato, a college town about 80 miles southwest of Minneapolis.

Minnesota winters demand serious gear, think heavy coats, boots, and scrapers for your car from November through March. The 280 student-athletes make up 41% of the student body, so Vikings games draw solid crowds despite competing in Division III. Weekend options include heading to nearby Minnesota State University events, exploring Mankato's downtown, or making the 90-minute drive to the Twin Cities for shopping and entertainment.

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod affiliation shapes campus culture through chapel services and faith-integrated coursework. With 80% of students returning each year, the close relationships formed here tend to stick. Students often study together in the library or gather in residence halls for late-night conversations about theology and life.

Setting: City-Small
Housing Capacity: 497 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1927

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 4°–24°F
July Avg: 61°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 32.3"
Annual Snowfall: -739.1"

Student Demographics

Bethany Lutheran draws students who want a Christian liberal arts education in a close-knit community. The student body of 682 creates an intimate campus where everyone knows each other. About 63% come from Minnesota, reflecting the college's strong ties to local Lutheran communities. The gender split is nearly even at 50-50, typical for small liberal arts colleges. Students tend to come from middle-class families, with 22% receiving Pell Grants. The Evangelical Lutheran Synod affiliation attracts students seeking to integrate faith with academics in a traditional denominational setting.

Men: 50.2%
Women: 49.9%
White: 66.0%
Black: 3.5%
Hispanic: 6.0%
Asian: 1.2%
In-State Students: 63.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 22.1%

Location

Bethany Lutheran College sits in Mankato, Minnesota, about 80 miles southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The college draws 63% of its students from within Minnesota. Mankato serves as a regional center in south-central Minnesota's agricultural heartland, with rolling prairies and the Minnesota River winding through the area. The city hosts multiple colleges, creating a genuine college town atmosphere despite its modest size of around 44,000 residents. Students enjoy four distinct seasons, from snowy winters perfect for Nordic activities to warm summers ideal for river recreation. The location offers small-town community feel while remaining accessible to Twin Cities opportunities. Students considering colleges in Minnesota may also compare Bethany Lutheran College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Mankato, Minnesota 56001

20230920 Old Main McMahon Hill Bethany Lutheran College BLC Mankato Minnesota

20190910 Trinity Chapel Bethany Lutheran College Mankato Minnesota

20230721 BLC campus aerial drone view Bethany Lutheran College Mankato Minnesota

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $46,110
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,652
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $31,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 74.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $244/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $23,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Bethany Lutheran College?

Bethany Lutheran College accepts 58.5% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 990 and 1290 on the SAT. This small Lutheran institution values both academic preparation and alignment with its Christian liberal arts mission.

How much does Bethany Lutheran College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $17,680 after aid, less than the sticker price of $30,010 for tuition. About 29% of students receive institutional grants averaging $20,705. Graduates typically leave with $23,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $244.

What are the academics like at Bethany Lutheran College?

Classes stay small with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio among the 682 enrolled students. The college emphasizes Christian liberal arts education rooted in Lutheran theology. About 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year, reflecting solid student satisfaction with the academic experience.

What are the career outcomes for Bethany Lutheran College graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $46,110 ten years after graduation, with a strong 97.5% employment rate. About 60% complete their degree within six years. The college's focus on practical Christian education helps students find meaningful work in their chosen fields.

Where is Bethany Lutheran College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Mankato, Minnesota, a small city that provides an intimate college-town atmosphere. Housing accommodates 497 students, creating a close-knit residential community. The Vikings compete in 17 NCAA Division III sports with 280 total athletes participating.

Does Bethany Lutheran College have a religious affiliation?

The college maintains strong ties to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, founded in 1927 to provide Christian higher education. This Lutheran heritage shapes campus culture and curriculum, though the student body includes diverse backgrounds with 66% white students and growing diversity. The college integrates faith with learning across all academic programs.