Bethany Lutheran College
- 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
Quick Stats (2023)
- Enrollment: 769 students
- Private-state tuition: $24,450
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Student:teacher ratio: 5:1
- Minority enrollment: 16%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Bethany Lutheran College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
School Overview

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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 65%, which is lower than the state average of 91%. 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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