- Bethany Lutheran College, owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, is a private, residential, liberal arts college committed to the teachings of the Bible as set forth in the Lutheran Confessions. Bethany provides studies culminating in a bachelor of arts degree. The college serves Lutherans and others by offering a challenging, student-centered approach to education that fosters spiritual development, intellectual and creative growth, self-understanding, and responsible citizenship. In keeping with its heritage, Bethany aspires to produce students with a clear understanding of Christian vocation, which calls people to make the most of their God-given talents in whatever walk of life they pursue.
School Highlights
Bethany Lutheran College serves 932 students (74% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 7:1 is lower than the state community college average of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 42%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 932 students
- Private-state tuition: $24,450
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Student:teacher ratio: 7:1
- Minority enrollment: 39%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Bethany Lutheran College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Selectivity
School Resources
School Overview
The teacher population of 140 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Bethany Lutheran College
(MN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private not-for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
140 staff
171 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Bethany Lutheran College has grown by 25% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 7:1 has increased from 5:1 over five years.
The Bethany Lutheran College diversity score of 0.59 is less than the state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has grown by 27% over five years.
Total Enrollment
932 students
2,858 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
22:1
# Full-Time Students
687 students
1,050 students
# Part-Time Students
245 students
1,808 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
882 students
420 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
649 students
915 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
38 students
38 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
233 students
1,771 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
12 students
12 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
520 students
116 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
6%
% Hispanic
8%
8%
% Black
2%
15%
% White
61%
58%
% Hawaiian
7%
1%
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Non Resident races
15%
1%
% Unknown races
1%
6%
Diversity Score
0.59
0.63
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
n/a
34%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
57%
57%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,600
$36,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The private state tuition of $24,450 is more than the state average of $17,300. The private state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$24,450
$17,300
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
100%
89%
Median Debt for Graduates
$24,250
$12,264
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,750
$6,750
Acceptance Rate
61%
94%
SAT Reading
515
515
SAT Math
535
535
SAT Writing
n/a
565
ACT Total Avg.
71
71
ACT Composite
24
24
ACT English
24
24
ACT Math
23
23
ACT Writing
n/a
8
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) is a private, residential, Christian, coeducational, liberal arts college founded in 1927, owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Bethany is located in the heart of Mankato, whose new tag line 'A little Twin Cities. A lot Minnesota' accurately describes this thriving community of over 44,000 residents. Nestled in the beautiful Minnesota River Valley, the city combines the safety and security of a small town with the social and cultural advantages of a large city. The fifty-acre campus of Bethany Lutheran College overlooks the Minnesota River Valley in Mankato, Minnesota, a community of approximately forty thousand people. In 1911, Bethany Ladies College opened with forty-four students and four faculty members, and a mission to educate young women. In 1927 the Norwegian Synod, later known as the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), purchased the college. The ELS operated the school as a co-educational high school and junior college until 1969, when the high school department was closed. Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary began in 1946 as a department of the college; in 1975 it became a separate institution. Bethany Lutheran College is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Bethany Lutheran College cost?
Bethany Lutheran College's private state tuition is approximately $24,450.
What is the acceptance rate of Bethany Lutheran College?
The acceptance rate of Bethany Lutheran College is 61%, which is lower than the state average of 94%. Bethany Lutheran College's acceptance rate is ranked among the top community colleges in Minnesota with low acceptance rates.
What is Bethany Lutheran College's ranking?
Bethany Lutheran College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Minnesota for: Lowest acceptance rates and Percent of students receiving financial aid.
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