- 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 899 students (78% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is lower than the state community college average of 36:1.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 43%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 899 students
- Private-state tuition: $24,450
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
- Minority enrollment: 32%
- 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 57 teachers has declined by 59% over five years.
Bethany Lutheran College
(MN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private not-for-profit
Public
Year Founded
1927
Total Faculty
57 staff
94 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Bethany Lutheran College has grown by 16% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 has increased from 5:1 over five years.
The Bethany Lutheran College diversity score of 0.51 is less than the state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has grown by 74% over five years.
Total Enrollment
899 students
2,882 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
36:1
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Full-Time Students
703 students
1,168 students
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Students
196 students
1,714 students
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Enrollment Undergraduate
856 students
2,681 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
664 students
1,143 students
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Full-Time Graduate Students
39 students
51 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
192 students
1,714 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
4 students
4 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
520 students
124 students
% Asian
1%
6%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
8%
8%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
3%
16%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% White
68%
57%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Non Resident races
15%
1%
% Unknown races
2%
7%
Diversity Score
0.51
0.63
Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.5652%
n/a
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,600
$37,000
Tuition & Financial Aid
The private state tuition of $24,450 is more than the state average of $17,176. The private state tuition has declined by 14% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$24,450
$17,176
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
100%
87%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Median Debt for Graduates
$24,250
$12,750
Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,750
$6,752
Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Acceptance Rate
39%
90%
ACT Total Avg.
71
72
ACT Composite
24
24
ACT English
24
24
ACT Math
23
24
Sports
Colors
Red and white (athletics also uses black)
School Mascot
Viking
Source: 2025 (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 39%, which is lower than the state average of 90%. 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.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Bethany Lutheran College is Rasmussen College-Mankato (2.7 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Rasmussen College-Mankato
Private, for profit
130 Saint Andrews Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-6556
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-6556
2.7 miles
Enrollment: 690 students
South Central College
Public
1920 Lee Blvd
North Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 389-7200
North Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 389-7200
2.7 miles
Enrollment: 2,731 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 In-state tuition: $5,378 Out-state tuition: $5,378 Minority enrollment: 31%
Normandale Community College
Public
9700 France Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 358-8200
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 358-8200
56.3 miles
Enrollment: 11,026 students In-state tuition: $5,709 Out-state tuition: $5,709 Minority enrollment: 56%
Academy College
Private for-profit
1600 W. 82nd Street, Suite 100
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 851-0066
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 851-0066
58.6 miles
Enrollment: 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Private-state tuition: $17,261 Minority enrollment: 78%
1300 145th Street East
Rosemount, MN 55068
(651) 423-8301
Rosemount, MN 55068
(651) 423-8301
59.9 miles
Enrollment: 2,894 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 In-state tuition: $5,661 Out-state tuition: $5,661 Minority enrollment: 38%
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