Christian School CompassTrue north for Christian families.
Bethel University

Christian college

#9 Best Christian colleges under $20,000 a year in America

Bethel University

Mishawaka, IN · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Missionary Church · Evangelical and Missionary

Real cost

Average price after aid $18,610 a year

Median debt at graduation: $25,000 (all students)

Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator

Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana, is a Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Missionary Church. Its Spiritual Life office holds chapel twice a week, states that attendance is required for full-time students, and offers a weekly Vespers service and midweek small groups. The 2026-27 catalog requires three Bible and theology courses in the core, and lists a Christian Ministries major.

Faith life at a glance

In the college’s own words

Questions students ask

Do I have to go to chapel?

Attendance is required for full-time students, and chapel meets twice a week.

Source: betheluniversity.edu
What's a normal week?

Students gather for chapel twice a week, and midweek small groups are required for most students.

Source: betheluniversity.edu
Where do I find community?

Student-led worship nights happen throughout the semester, often around a fire pit or in the Shiloh prayer chapel.

Source: betheluniversity.edu
Can I serve or go on mission trips?

Each year Bethel offers trips of one to three weeks, with the goal of pairing students with a missionary or national partner.

Source: betheluniversity.edu

Rankings

Where this college places on our top lists. Lists are worked out from official data and our faith research; places in the top quarter of each list are shown. See every list

In America

Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
58 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.53%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.72%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,014 · ACT 20
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.12 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$8,969

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

BWorship and chapel: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Worship and chapel

71 of 100 points · 5 of 7 found

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Chapel services during the weekTwice a week (Chapel is held twice a week on the Spiritual Life page. The Fall 2026 chapel schedule lists Monday, Wednesday and Friday slots. The lower figure is recorded because the two sources disagree (see gaps).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Two times a week, students and staff gather for chapel.”
      Chapel is held twice a week on campus.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Chapel attendance expected of studentsEncouraged or partly required (Attendance is required for full-time students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Attendance is required for full-time students.”
      Chapel attendance is required for full-time students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Student worship nights or praise servicesEvery week (A weekly evening Vespers service is held, and student-led worship nights occur through the semester.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “This weekly evening service is an opportunity created by students for students”
      A weekly evening Vespers service is held.
      “Regular student-led worship nights occur throughout the semester.”
      Student-led worship nights occur regularly through the semester.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Now and then (An annual Collegiate Day of Prayer is listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “The Last Thursday in February we join churches and colleges across the nation to pray”
      The campus holds an annual Collegiate Day of Prayer.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    A chapel or worship space on campusYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “They take place around a fire pit or in the Shiloh prayer chapel”
      The campus has a Shiloh prayer chapel used for worship.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayerNot enough information: no verified chapel or worship times are recorded.
ABible and theology: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Bible and theology

90 of 100 points · 6 of 6 found

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students3 or more courses (The Bethel Core requires BIBL 215, BIBL 216 and THEO 110 of all bachelor's students (three courses).)
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Program | Bethel University 2026-2027 Catalogbetheluniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/catalog/academic-structure/general-education-program · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bible-Religion BIBL 215 Old Testament Literature 3 BIBL 216 New Testament Literature 3 THEO 110 Exploring the Christian Faith 3 Total Credits 9”
      The Bethel Core requires Old Testament Literature, New Testament Literature and Exploring the Christian Faith of all bachelor's students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsRequired of all students (Old Testament Literature (BIBL 215) and New Testament Literature (BIBL 216) are required of all students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Program | Bethel University 2026-2027 Catalogbetheluniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/catalog/academic-structure/general-education-program · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bible-Religion BIBL 215 Old Testament Literature 3 BIBL 216 New Testament Literature 3 THEO 110 Exploring the Christian Faith 3 Total Credits 9”
      The Bethel Core requires Old Testament Literature, New Testament Literature and Exploring the Christian Faith of all bachelor's students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses requiredNone required (The general education core has no Christian worldview or faith-and-learning course beyond the three courses counted under T1.)
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Program | Bethel University 2026-2027 Catalogbetheluniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/catalog/academic-structure/general-education-program · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bible-Religion BIBL 215 Old Testament Literature 3 BIBL 216 New Testament Literature 3 THEO 110 Exploring the Christian Faith 3 Total Credits 9”
      The Bethel Core requires Old Testament Literature, New Testament Literature and Exploring the Christian Faith of all bachelor's students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes (Faculty hiring expectations state that faculty demonstrate the relevance of faith commitments to their disciplines. This is a faculty expectation, not a core-curriculum statement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Employment | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/about/employment · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “all are expected to be active in a local church and to demonstrate the relevance of faith commitments to their disciplines”
      Faculty are expected to demonstrate the relevance of faith commitments to their disciplines.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Bible, theology or ministry major offeredYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Programs of Study | Bethel University 2026-2027 Catalogbetheluniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/catalog/programs-of-study · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Christian Ministries, B.A.”
      A Christian Ministries bachelor's degree is offered.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    A published statement of faithYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/about/mission · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bethel University is affiliated with the Missionary Church and aligns with Missionary Church Articles of Faith.”
      Bethel publishes a Statement of Faith aligned with the Missionary Church Articles of Faith.
BChristian community: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Christian community

79 of 100 points · 4 of 7 found

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)1 to 2 (Two spiritual life staff are named on the Spiritual Life page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Shawn Holtgren, Ph.D. Vice President for Spiritual Life and University Affairs”
      A vice president leads spiritual life and university affairs.
      “Dan Chambers Director for Community Life; Interim Resident Director”
      A director for community life is listed on the Spiritual Life staff page.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearSeveral (Three spiritual emphasis series are listed each year: IGNITE (fall), GO and Deeper Life (spring).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “During the fall semester, we hold the IGNITE Series, offering services every morning and evening from Monday through Friday.”
      A fall spiritual emphasis week (IGNITE Series) is held each year.
      “During the spring semester, we hold two special series: the GO Series and the Deeper Life Series.”
      Two spring spiritual emphasis series (GO and Deeper Life) are held each year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsMany (Midweek small groups are required for most students each semester.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “midweek small groups are required for most students”
      Midweek small groups are required for most students each semester.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Shawn Holtgren, Ph.D. Vice President for Spiritual Life and University Affairs”
      A vice president leads spiritual life and university affairs.
AMissions and service: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Missions and service

89 of 100 points · 4 of 6 found

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service or outreach officeYes (The Service Learning Office runs a campus-wide service day and regular service opportunities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning Office | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/service-learning-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bethel University believes Service Learning is an integral part of education.”
      A Service Learning Office offers regular service opportunities, including a campus-wide service day.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Missions trips offered to studentsMany each year (Short-term trips are offered each year, in the United States and abroad (label 'Many each year').)
    Sources (1)
    1. World Partners Global Engagement Office | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/world-partners-global-engagement-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Each year Bethel offers a variety of trips ranging from one to three weeks”
      Short-term service trips are offered each year, in the United States and abroad.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Cross-cultural or global ministry programsSome (Global missional internships and short-term trips are listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. World Partners Global Engagement Office | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/world-partners-global-engagement-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “The goal is to pair you with a missionary or national partner so you can experience daily life with them”
      Missional internships pair students with a missionary or national partner.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes (Trips focus on service and spiritual formation, and internships pair students with missionaries.)
    Sources (1)
    1. World Partners Global Engagement Office | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/world-partners-global-engagement-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “The goal is to pair you with a missionary or national partner so you can experience daily life with them”
      Missional internships pair students with a missionary or national partner.
      “These short-term trips focus on learning through service, cultural immersion, and spiritual formation.”
      Short-term trips focus on service, cultural immersion and spiritual formation.

Strengths

  • Chapel is held twice a week, and attendance is required for full-time students.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Two times a week, students and staff gather for chapel.”
      Chapel is held twice a week on campus.
      “Attendance is required for full-time students.”
      Chapel attendance is required for full-time students.
  • The Bethel Core requires three Bible and theology courses, including Old and New Testament literature.
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Program | Bethel University 2026-2027 Catalogbetheluniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/catalog/academic-structure/general-education-program · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bible-Religion BIBL 215 Old Testament Literature 3 BIBL 216 New Testament Literature 3 THEO 110 Exploring the Christian Faith 3 Total Credits 9”
      The Bethel Core requires Old Testament Literature, New Testament Literature and Exploring the Christian Faith of all bachelor's students.
  • A Statement of Faith is published, and a Christian Ministries bachelor's degree is offered.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mission | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/about/mission · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bethel University is affiliated with the Missionary Church and aligns with Missionary Church Articles of Faith.”
      Bethel publishes a Statement of Faith aligned with the Missionary Church Articles of Faith.
    2. Programs of Study | Bethel University 2026-2027 Catalogbetheluniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/catalog/programs-of-study · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Christian Ministries, B.A.”
      A Christian Ministries bachelor's degree is offered.
  • Weekly Vespers, midweek small groups and three spiritual emphasis series are listed.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “This weekly evening service is an opportunity created by students for students”
      A weekly evening Vespers service is held.
      “midweek small groups are required for most students”
      Midweek small groups are required for most students each semester.
      “During the fall semester, we hold the IGNITE Series, offering services every morning and evening from Monday through Friday.”
      A fall spiritual emphasis week (IGNITE Series) is held each year.
      “During the spring semester, we hold two special series: the GO Series and the Deeper Life Series.”
      Two spring spiritual emphasis series (GO and Deeper Life) are held each year.

Concerns

  • No worldview or faith-and-learning course is required beyond the three Bible and theology courses.
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education Program | Bethel University 2026-2027 Catalogbetheluniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/catalog/academic-structure/general-education-program · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Bible-Religion BIBL 215 Old Testament Literature 3 BIBL 216 New Testament Literature 3 THEO 110 Exploring the Christian Faith 3 Total Credits 9”
      The Bethel Core requires Old Testament Literature, New Testament Literature and Exploring the Christian Faith of all bachelor's students.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry home

Bethel University Spiritual Life

  • Facilities: chapel, Shiloh prayer chapel

Source: betheluniversity.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026, betheluniversity.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026

Campus ministry

Sources (1)
  1. Spiritual Life | Bethel University Indianabetheluniversity.edu/student-life/spiritual-life-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
    “Two times a week, students and staff gather for chapel.”
    Chapel is held twice a week on campus.
    “Shawn Holtgren, Ph.D. Vice President for Spiritual Life and University Affairs”
    A vice president leads spiritual life and university affairs.

Christian clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 4 on campus, 0 off campus, 2 location not published

Faith formation 2

  • Scripture 66On campus
    A week of reading the whole Bible aloud on campus.
    betheluniversity.edu
  • Midweek small groups
    Midweek, each semester
    Small group discipleship, required for most students.
    betheluniversity.edu

Worship and prayer 3

Retreats 1

  • Collegiate Day of PrayerOn campus
    The last Thursday in February
    A day of prayer walks, prayer stations and worship across campus.
    betheluniversity.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the church. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

What families pay, by income

Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.

Family incomePrice after aid
Up to $30,000$17,580
$30,001–$48,000$12,572
$48,001–$75,000$12,673
$75,001–$110,000$18,645
Over $110,000$25,871

Full cost of attendance before aid: $43,885 a year.

Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
1,107
Men and women
College Scorecard, fall 2023
Men 44% · Women 56%
First-generation students
College Scorecard
32%
Total students1,222
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$18,610
Cost of attendance (per year)$43,885
Median federal debt at graduation$25,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
53%
Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients
College Scorecard, within 6 years
48%
Graduation rate for first-generation students
College Scorecard, within 6 years
48%
Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years
College Scorecard, within 3 years
63%
First-year retention72%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$48,860
Admission rate98%
Application fee
IPEDS, 2023–24
No application fee
Typical rent
HUD fair market rent, FY2026
About $1,105 a month for a one-bedroom
Students receiving Pell grants33%
Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 900–1150ACT 16–24
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1014
SAT reading & writing460–580
SAT math440–570
ACT composite16–24
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 57 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Earnings by major

Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).

MajorMedian earnings
Nursing$73,384
Business (general)$68,689
Business administration$58,731
Secondary education$53,186
General studies$53,152
Kinesiology and exercise science$48,243
Liberal arts$45,366
Teacher education$45,222
Human services$38,515
Pastoral counseling$37,149

Also offered (no earnings published yet): Accounting, American Sign Language, Applied mathematics, Bible/Biblical Studies, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Communication studies, Computer science, Computing and information science, Criminal justice, Design, Economics, Engineering (general), English, Finance, Fine arts, History, Homeland Security, Marketing, Mathematics, Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, Music, Philosophy, Political science, Psychology, Public health, Romance languages, Sociology, Teaching English as a second language, Theatre, Theology, Writing and rhetoric.

What students study most

Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).

FieldShare of degrees
Business22%
Health professions16%
Theology and religious studies10%
Parks, recreation and fitness10%
Education6%

Campus facts

School colors
SettingCity
Part-time undergraduates6%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older13%
On-campus room and board (per year)$11,140
SportsNAIA · Crossroads League
ROTCArmy · Air Force
Study abroadOffered
Students per faculty member12 to 1
Undergraduates registered with the disability officeAbout 13%IPEDS, 2023–24
Disability servicesVisit the office’s pageThe college’s own page
Faculty who are full-time100%College Scorecard, fall 2023
Endowment per student$9,797IPEDS, 2023, per student
Dorm spaceFor about 65% of studentsBeds per undergraduate; not who lives on campus
Nearest airport with airline serviceSouth Bend International Airport (SBN)About 7 miles away · about 20 minutes by car
Nearest major airportChicago Midway International Airport (MDW)About 81 miles away
Town population51,021Census, 2020–2024
Nearest city of 250,000 people or moreFort WayneAbout 68 miles away · about 2 hours by car
Typical weather25°F in January · 73°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from South Bend, IN, about 3 miles away

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors. None of this changes the faith grades.

Campus safety reports

On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.

CategoryThis campusU.S. rate
Rape0.000.07
Robbery0.000.01
Aggravated assault0.000.04
Burglary0.860.08
Motor vehicle theft0.000.15

Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.

Source: Official data: U.S. Department of Education

Questions families ask

Is Bethel University a Christian college?
Yes. Bethel University is a Christian college. Its sponsor is Missionary Church.
What is Bethel University’s Compass Score?
76 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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