Your Bethany Lutheran College education will be strengthened and shaped by experiences you'll only find at a school committed to a student-first mission. Our close campus community allows you to form lasting connections with outstanding professors and lifelong friendships with fellow students. Personal mentoring guides students to pursue knowledge, truth, and discernment for productive and fulfilling lives. Bethany offers over 25 majors anchored in the liberal arts and taught through the discerning lens of a Christian worldview. Bethany is a consistent leader in social mobility ranked number one in Minnesota and number 10 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2023 (national liberal arts category).

Bethany is known for its personalized learning approach, which means you will be challenged to think critically and expand your academic horizons. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who will make it a priority to set your studies on the right path. From advising to teaching, we are dedicated to giving you the tools you need to succeed. And everything is taught from a Christian perspective, honoring the truths found in Scripture while giving you the freedom to question, challenge and discover things on your own. Faculty advisors welcome your questions and assist in connecting you to career opportunities.

Religious affiliation: Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Bethany’s close campus community allows you to form lasting connections with outstanding professors as well as lifelong friendships with fellow students. It’s not on the surface; it’s a genuine, friendly experience. When we talk of friendships formed at Bethany as some of the most enduring, we understand the impact they have on our lives. This unique, supportive atmosphere truly sets our campus apart resulting in an undergraduate student body that is collectively engaged — and individually pushed. This has resulted in consistently successful graduates who are valued employees and dedicated lifelong learners.

Christian faith is at the center of a Bethany education. You will learn in a setting where matters of faith are applied to the foundations of science, literature, history and art, and you will be encouraged to think about your education from a Christian viewpoint. Through active discussion on the foundations of our faith as well as present-day issues, a Bethany education will ultimately allow you to affirm and defend your beliefs while growing spiritually. Your spiritual well-being is at the heart of our mission, giving you a foundation of truth based on God’s word.

Some students arrive at college knowing exactly the path they intend to navigate on their career pursuit. Others don’t choose that path immediately. Opportunities abound at Bethany for you to experience a variety of areas and discover what you love to do. Our mission is to help find your calling in life and put you on the path to success before you leave campus. Our professors help you shape your education in a way that encourages you to discover your full potential.

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Earning a college degree does not need to put your financial future in jeopardy. At Bethany, we are committed to making your decision to attend college worth the investment. Our merit-based scholarships and activity scholarships are renewable, and 99 percent of full-time students receive some type of financial aid. Bethany annually has one of the lowest costs of any private, residential, liberal arts college in Minnesota. Our average annual net price for first-time freshmen living on-campus is under $16,400. (Net price is based on the total cost of tuition, fees, room and board for first-time freshmen living on campus.)

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Tuition and fees

First-time, full-time students receiving grants and scholarships
98%

Financial aid application deadline
April 15

FAFSA code
002337

Learn more about financial aid at Bethany Lutheran.

At Bethany, you’ll be able to pursue activities you love and also have the opportunity to move beyond your comfort zone by exploring new ventures. Our size gives you the opportunity to be involved right away as a freshman. The best part of these opportunities is the encouragement you’ll receive from others who share your passion and eagerness to learn. We offer opportunities to be involved in a wide array of campus activities, clubs and programs. From athletics to the arts, our dynamic campus provides so many ways to learn, grow and have fun while making lasting memories.

Number of student organizations
24

The arts at Bethany are for everyone. As early as your freshman year, you can be part of moving artistic experiences both in the classroom and the concert hall. Auditions aren’t just for upperclassmen; all students can be part of our concert choir, band or theatre productions. Students wanting additional instruction can take private lessons for vocal and instrumental performance. Personal studio space is reserved for each painting and sculpture student. Powerful, cutting-edge hardware and software is available to every aspiring video artist, animator or graphic designer. These are among the advantages of a college that values and encourages creativity.

NCAA Division
Division III

Conference membership
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC)

Number of intramural sports
7

Getting involved with intramurals is a great form of recreation that promotes both social and competitive on-campus sports activities.

From art to engineering, our alumni are making a significant impact within their chosen fields. You can find Bethany alumni everywhere, working as teachers, designers, scientists and business leaders. They’ve found success in medical school, law school and in graduate research at prestigious institutions. The foundation for success begins when students have the opportunity to complete valuable internships giving them experience and credentials for their resume. In addition, many students broaden their horizons through international study, taking them to exciting destinations around the world.

Disciplines with largest number of graduates

1. Business, management, marketing and related support services (TIED)
1. Biological and biomedical sciences (TIED)
2. Communication, journalism and related programs
3. Education

Alumni majors
Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool* to explore what Bethany Lutheran graduates majored in and the types of careers they have and with which companies.

*based only on those who have accounts on LinkedIn