Bethel University Acceptance Rate
McKenzie, Tennessee · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 3,318
- Admitted
- 3,224
- Yield
- 12.5%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Bethel University's acceptance rate has risen from 57.4% in 2014–15 to 97.2% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 2,062 to 3,318 (+61%) over that period.
Its 97.2% rate makes Bethel University more selective than about 5% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 33 tracked Tennessee schools, it is more selective than about 0%.
Bethel University has been test-optional since 2018–19. Of admitted students, 12.5% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 2,062 | 1,184 | 57.4% | 636 |
| 2015–16 | 1,149 | 965 | 84% | 627 |
| 2016–17 | 1,353 | 900 | 66.5% | 407 |
| 2017–18 | 1,388 | 1,299 | 93.6% | 456 |
| 2018–19 | 1,898 | 1,262 | 66.5% | 412 |
| 2019–20 | 1,541 | 1,391 | 90.3% | 418 |
| 2020–21 | 1,717 | 1,307 | 76.1% | 476 |
| 2021–22 | 2,148 | 1,073 | 50% | 522 |
| 2022–23 | 2,489 | 2,210 | 88.8% | 456 |
| 2023–24 | 3,318 | 3,224 | 97.2% | 402 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 1,988 | 1,947 | 97.9% |
| Men | 1,330 | 1,277 | 96% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 300–525 | 25% |
| SAT Math | 325–575 | |
| ACT Composite | 16–24 | 100% |
How Bethel University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Bethel University's acceptance rate?
Bethel University's acceptance rate is 97.2% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (3,224 admitted of 3,318 applicants).
Is Bethel University test optional?
Bethel University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Bethel University?
Bethel University received 3,318 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 3,224.
What SAT score do you need for Bethel University?
Admitted students at Bethel University typically scored 300–525 on SAT Reading/Writing and 325–575 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Bethel University getting harder to get into?
Bethel University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 57.4% in 2014–15 to 97.2% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.bethelu.edu/.