Bethel University
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 35% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,482 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,595 B-
- 26% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 60% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $24.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,164,496.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 35% — 39% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $24.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Bethel University Matters
Bethel University is a private university in McKenzie, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,547
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 60
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Bethel University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 60% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 830–1120. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,595 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,482 ten years after enrolling — 16% above the typical college, against $27,249 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 94% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.82 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,547 students, Bethel University in McKenzie, TN, is a solid choice for those interested in a more personalized college experience. The acceptance rate of 60% suggests that while the school is selective, there’s still a welcoming atmosphere for students eager to study fields like Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Humanities, Health Professions, and Education. This variety allows students to pursue their passions while also preparing for practical careers.
Looking at what students can expect after graduating, those who complete their degrees can anticipate average earnings around $47,482 a decade post-graduation. This can be a motivating factor for students weighing their options. While the graduation rate sits at 35%, indicating that not everyone completes their studies, the potential for upward mobility exists for those who do earn their degrees and successfully enter the workforce.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid is around $12,595, which can make Bethel an accessible option for many. However, it’s important to note that the median debt for graduates is $27,249. Students who typically thrive here are those who appreciate a close-knit community and are dedicated to their studies, aiming for careers in teaching, healthcare, or business.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- #2 Best Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #2 Best Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
- #2 Best Master's in Criminal Justice
- #3 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #6 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #6 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #14 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Bethel University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bethel University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in McKenzie, Tennessee, Bethel University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 972. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 60%
- Retention Rate
- 54%
- SAT Average
- 972
- ACT Midpoint
- 18
- SAT Range
- 830–1120
- ACT Range
- 15–21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $3,147
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 51%
- Applicants
- 2,489
- Admitted
- 2,210
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bethel University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bethel University is $18,712, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,595. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,871 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,249 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $18,712
- Out-of-State
- $18,712
- Avg Net Price
- $12,595
- Median Debt
- $27,249
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,871
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,356
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,713
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,163
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Bethel University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bethel University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bethel University earn a median of $47,482, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,990
- 8 Years
- $43,085
- 10 Years
- $47,482
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.57x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (86)
- 26%
- 100% (86)
- 26%
- 100% (86)
- 26%
- 100% (86)
- 26%
How Bethel Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bethel University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bethel University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,595/year ($50,380 total). Graduates earn $47,482 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,214,876 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,164,496 (24.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,249, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 35% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $50,380
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,214,876
- Net Return
- $1,164,496
- ROI Multiple
- 24.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,595
- Median Debt
- $27,249
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bethel University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bethel University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.63%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.63%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $110,458
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,710,469
- Investment Income
- $-1,071,685
Top Programs
The fields Bethel University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 38% $73,093 early-career
- Criminal Justice 29% $68,105 early-career
- Education 6% $52,213 early-career
- Humanities 6%
- Health Professions 6% $68,828 early-career
- Psychology 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 2%
- Social Sciences 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bethel University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bethel University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in McKenzie, Tennessee, Bethel University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 972. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bethel University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bethel University is $18,712, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,595. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,871 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,249 in federal student loans.
Is Bethel University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bethel University earn a median of $47,482, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Bethel University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bethel University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.63%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bethel University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bethel University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bethel University.
- University of Hawaii at HiloHilo, HI · Close peer45% grad $47,856 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas A&M University-TexarkanaTexarkana, TX · Close peer30% grad $45,515 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina BeaufortBluffton, SC · Close peer36% grad $48,088 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Alaska SoutheastJuneau, AK · Close peer29% grad $48,475 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lincoln UniversityLincoln University, PA · Close peer48% grad $43,167 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Central Baptist CollegeConway, AR · Close peer35% grad $46,789 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bethel University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bethel University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note