Bethany Global University
Bethany Global University — Online Programs, Tuition & Accreditation
Bethany Global University
All programs offered completely via distance education
6820 Auto Club Road, Bloomington, Minnesota 55438-2849
Phone: (800) 323-3417
Website: bethanygu.edu
Quick Facts
| Type | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Accreditation | Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation (ABHE) — accredited since February 2016, next review February 2031 |
| Total Enrolment | 100 (81 undergraduate, 19 graduate) |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Faculty | 0 full-time, 40 part-time |
| Online Programs | Both undergraduate and graduate — 100% of students enrolled exclusively in distance education |
| Awards Offered | Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree |
| Carnegie Classification | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions |
| Religious Affiliation | Interdenominational |
| Federal Financial Aid | Yes — eligible for Pell Grants and Direct Loans |
| Credit Accepted | Advanced Placement (AP) credits |
| Cohort Default Rate | 0.0% (2021) |
A Note on Accreditation
Bethany Global University holds specialised accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), which is recognised by the U.S. Department of Education. However, ABHE is a specialised faith-based accreditor rather than a regional/institutional accreditor (such as HLC or SACSCOC). Credits from ABHE-accredited institutions may not transfer to regionally accredited schools, and some employers outside ministry and faith-based sectors may be less familiar with this accreditor. If you plan to transfer credits or pursue further secular education, verify acceptance with your target institution first.
Tuition & Fees (2024–2025)
| Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | $11,000 per year |
| Books & Supplies (estimated) | $500 per year |
| Total Estimated Cost — Off Campus | $30,696 per year |
| Total Estimated Cost — Living with Family | $18,512 per year |
| Graduate Tuition | $6,894 per year |
| Graduate Fees | $300 per year |
Note: Undergraduate tuition dropped significantly from $20,700 in 2023–2024 to $11,000 in 2024–2025 (a 46.9% reduction), which is a notable change. A tuition payment plan is available. Figures are sourced from NCES College Navigator — verify directly with the institution before making financial decisions.
Financial Aid Snapshot (2023–2024)
| Beginning Students Receiving Any Aid | 100% |
| Beginning Students Receiving Grants | 100% — average award $5,426 |
| Beginning Students Receiving Pell Grants | 50% — average award $5,519 |
| Beginning Students Receiving Institutional Aid | 82% — average award $3,174 |
| Beginning Students Taking Federal Loans | 68% — average loan $6,969 |
| All Undergrads — Average Grant/Scholarship | $10,787 (100% of degree-seeking students) |
| All Undergrads — Average Pell Grant | $4,794 (59% of students) |
| All Undergrads — Average Federal Loan | $5,777 (57% of students) |
| Average Net Price (2023–2024) | $37,790 |
The average net price of $37,790 in 2023–2024 is high relative to the published tuition and reflects the higher total cost of attendance (including living expenses) that year, when tuition was $20,700. With tuition now reduced to $11,000 for 2024–2025, net price figures should improve substantially — use the Net Price Calculator for a current estimate.
Average Net Price by Family Income (2023–2024)
| $0 – $30,000 | $37,327 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $36,632 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $38,752 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $38,785 |
| $110,001 and more | $37,796 |
Admissions (Fall 2024)
| Acceptance Rate | 93% (70 applicants, 65 admitted) |
| Enrolled of Admitted | 6% |
| GPA | Required |
| Personal Statement/Essay | Required |
| English Proficiency Test | Required |
| SAT/ACT | Test blind (not considered) |
| Recommendations / Work Experience | Not considered |
Bethany Global University admits the vast majority of applicants. The very low enrolment rate of those admitted (6%) suggests many admitted students choose to enrol elsewhere. As a very small institution, cohort numbers are small and statistics should be interpreted accordingly.
Retention & Graduation
| Full-Time Student Retention | 22% (students who began Fall 2023 and returned Fall 2024) |
| Overall Graduation Rate (150% time) | 56% (students who began Fall 2018) |
| Transfer-Out Rate | 10% |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 24% (Fall 2018 cohort) |
| 6-Year Graduation Rate | 28% (Fall 2018 cohort); 37% for Fall 2016 cohort |
| 8-Year Graduation Rate | 40% (Fall 2016 and Fall 2018 cohorts) |
Retention and graduation figures should be interpreted with significant caution — Bethany Global University is a very small institution where a handful of students can dramatically shift these percentages. The 22% first-year retention rate is notably low; prospective students should enquire directly about current student support and persistence outcomes. 57% of entering students were counted as full-time, first-time in 2024.
Student Demographics (Fall 2024)
| Undergraduate Attendance | 79% full-time, 21% part-time |
| Gender (Undergraduate) | 69% female, 31% male |
| Age (Undergraduate) | 88% aged 25 and over, 12% aged 24 and under |
| Residency (First-Time Students) | 75% in-state (Minnesota), 25% out-of-state |
| Graduate Attendance | 5% full-time, 95% part-time |
Online Programs Offered
Theology & Religious Vocations
- Missions/Missionary Studies (Undergraduate Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's) — 78 total awards conferred in 2023–2024
Education
- Montessori Teacher Education (Undergraduate Certificate) — 12 awards conferred in 2023–2024
All programmes are offered entirely via distance education. 90 total awards were conferred in 2023–2024. Bethany Global University's primary focus is on missions and missionary studies, consistent with its interdenominational Christian mission. Programme availability may change — verify current offerings directly with Bethany Global University.
Student Services Available to Online Students
- Academic and career counselling
- Placement services for completers
- Disability services — bethanygu.edu/consumer-information
Important Links
| Admissions | www.bethanygu.edu/admissions |
| Apply Online | www.bethanygu.edu/apply |
| Financial Aid | www.bethanygu.edu/cost-aid |
| Net Price Calculator | www.bethanygu.edu/cost-aid/undergraduate/net-price-calculator |
| Disability Services | bethanygu.edu/consumer-information |
| Beliefs & Mission | www.bethanygu.edu/resources/our-beliefs |
About Bethany Global University
Bethany Global University is a small, private, non-profit Christian institution based in Bloomington, Minnesota, that operates entirely online. With just 100 students, it is one of the smallest accredited universities in the United States. The institution is interdenominational in affiliation and focuses almost exclusively on missions and missionary studies, offering programmes from short certificates through to master's degrees in this area, alongside a Montessori teacher education certificate. BGU is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a specialised faith-based accreditor recognised by the U.S. Department of Education. The student body is overwhelmingly adult (88% aged 25+) and predominantly female (69%), with all instruction carried out at a distance. Prospective students should note the low first-year retention rate and consider speaking with current or former students before enrolling. The significant reduction in tuition for 2024–2025 is a positive development that makes the institution more financially accessible. BGU is best suited to students whose primary goal is preparation for Christian missions or related ministry work.
Community Discussion
Have you attended Bethany Global University or are you considering it? Share your experience or ask questions in our Course & Program Reviews forum.
Information on this page is sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator database and the institution's official website. Data reflects the most recently available reporting year. Details may have changed — always verify directly with Bethany Global University before making enrolment or financial decisions. Last updated: April 2026.