Christian liberal arts university in Indiana equipping servant leaders through spiritual formation and rigorous academics.
Bethel University offers over 120 degree programs including bachelor's, associate's, minor, pre-professional, and graduate degrees. The curriculum emphasizes a substantial general education component typical of liberal arts institutions, with courses spanning history, literature, philosophy, fine arts, communication, psychology, sociology, science, mathematics, and foreign language. All students engage with Bible and theology courses reflecting the university's Christian identity. The institution is organized into three academic divisions: Arts & Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Nursing, with nine graduate programs administered through the Office of Adult and Graduate Studies.
Located on a 75-acre suburban campus in Mishawaka, Indiana, Bethel fosters intentional community through mentoring and discipleship. Eight in ten students participate in mentoring or discipleship groups, and the university emphasizes spiritual formation as central to student development. Students contribute 22,000 hours of community service annually. The campus offers residence life, commuter support, and robust spiritual life programming including chapel and faith-based activities. Athletic teams, known as the Pilots, compete in 25 varsity sports across NAIA, NCCAA, and other conferences.
Bethel employs a test-optional admission policy for first-year and transfer students with a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or higher; some programs (nursing, education, athletics) may still require standardized test scores. The university accepts traditional undergraduate, adult/non-traditional, transfer, international, dual enrollment (REACH), and graduate applications. International students must submit a personal statement of faith in English, transcripts, an affidavit of support, and test scores. The admissions process is designed to be straightforward across multiple pathways.
One hundred percent of students receive some form of financial assistance. Bethel University's Pilot Promise program offers free tuition for eligible low-income Indiana students. The university provides comprehensive career and calling development services, including 1-on-1 coaching, resume preparation, and interview coaching to help students clarify their vocational direction. Alumni have pursued careers in education, healthcare, business, athletics coaching, and public service, with notable graduates including U.S. Representative Andrew Clyde and professional athletes Justin Masterson and Eric Stults.