Bethel University is a Christian liberal arts college, founded in 1947 in Mishawaka, Ind. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of numerous associations, institutes and councils.
The Higher Learning Commission is a member of the North Central Association, and is located at 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60602, phone, 800.621.7440.
A copy of accreditation documents may be requested by contacting the President’s office at 574.807.7210. Read more about our accreditations (below).
Download our complete 2018-19 Catalog or view some popular sections, below, or view current and past catalogs online.
Undergraduate degrees offered at Bethel University.
Adult programs offered at Bethel University
Graduate programs offered at Bethel University
The number of credits earned under an approved consortium agreement is integrated into the student’s record upon completion of the course. Note: Courses must first be approved for transfer by the Bethel University Registrar’s Office. The Consortium Agreement is also subject to approval by both the home and host institution’s authorized financial aid staff. Failure to complete the course/s could negatively reflect in the SAP evaluation. Financial Aid staff from the home school will request information from the host school during the enrolled term to confirm continued enrollment and (at the end of the term) satisfactory academic progress. Failure to complete the course/s or completing a course/s in a manner that does not comply with the University’s transfer standards will result in financial aid suspension and future requests for a consortium agreement will not be considered. If a SAP appeal is approved, unearned hours under the consortium agreement will not be calculated when future progress reviews occur.
The Bethel University Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program extends far beyond minimum requirements for such programs. Since Bethel does not permit the use of alcohol or drugs on or off campus, abuse problems tend to be hidden. For this reason, the extensive program strives to reach five distinct outcomes:
Download the full description of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program (PDF)
Copies of the student records policy are available in the online academic catalog.
Contact the Registrar's Office with questions.
Students receiving financial aid must maintain good academic standing with the college in order to qualify for continued financial aid awards. Read the full policy (PDF).
You may also reference the Department of Education Campus Crime Statistics
In the case of written allegations or complaints from a student enrolled at the institution, a prospective student, the family of a student or prospective student, or a governmental official, the complaint must be addressed to the Office of the President. Upon receipt of such complaint, the president will begin investigation and determine if further action is warranted.
Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. Read the full policy (PDF).
Services for students with disabilities are provided by the Center for Academic Success, located in the Academic Center. Services may include assistance with note taking, alternative testing, books on tape, or other accommodations deemed reasonable and necessary by qualified professionals. To receive these services, a student must provide documentation of his/her disability. The Center for Academic Success personnel also coordinate the peer tutoring program and Twenty First Century Scholars Program.
See current costs for attending Bethel University as an undergraduate, adult and graduate student.
Approvals and authorizations:
Bethel University is authorized by the State of Indiana to operate as a postsecondary institution. Bethel University participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) as an approved Indiana NC-SARA institution.
Complaints:
Complaints regarding Bethel University can be filed through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. See submission process, limitations and guidelines.
The Higher Learning Commission
A member of the North Central Association, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60602, 800.621.7440.
The Higher Learning Commission A member of the North Central Association 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60602 (800) 621-7440Other Accreditations and Approval Bodies:
Bethel is a member of or partners with:
2020 Trends in Online Student Demographics
A report by Best Colleges that looks at the characteristics of today's online students. Additional insights related to the motivation for enrolling and perspectives across the student journey are included.
Download here (pdf)
For 16 consecutive years, Bethel* has been recognized as a top tier college by U.S. News Media Group. The 2019 edition of “U.S. News Best Colleges” ranked Bethel No. 30 on the list. The rankings evaluate colleges and universities on 16 measures of academic quality, including outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion, financial resources, student excellence and alumni giving.
Bethel was also ranked No. 16 on the list of “Best Undergraduate Teaching – Regional Universities Midwest.”
Bethel* was ranked No. 19 in the Midwest on the Washington Monthly "Best Bang for the Buck Colleges" list, which rates colleges that are doing the best job of helping non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices, and on the “Top Master’s Universities” (No. 73 in the nation).
Christian Universities Online ranked Bethel* number one on their 2016 list of "Top 50 Christian Colleges and Universities Exceeding Expectations." The list ranked schools from across the United States in how well they enhanced their students' academic careers from acceptance through graduation.
Bethel* is one of 10 Indiana colleges to be recognized as a 2020-2021 College of Distinction, and one of 63 schools in the nation to be named a Christian College of Distinction. This honor is given to colleges and universities that excel in the Four Distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.
Bethel* was been named to Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money 2019” list. Money analyzed graduation rates, tuition charges, family borrowing and alumni earnings—plus 22 other data points—to find the country’s top values.
Visit our News section to read about all our rankings.
