Historic HBCU in Daytona Beach founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, educating leaders through faith, scholarship, and service.
Bethune–Cookman offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees through four colleges: Arts & Humanities, Business & Entrepreneurship, Sciences/Engineering/Mathematics, and Nursing & Health Sciences. The university also operates the John W. Miller Center, an off-campus instructional site in Hastings, Florida, established in 1978. Programs span disciplines including nursing, business, education, health sciences, hospitality management, liberal arts, performing arts, and online/professional studies.
The 85.5-acre campus in Daytona Beach features historic landmarks including White Hall and the Mary McLeod Bethune Home. The Carl S. Swisher Library serves as the main academic resource center. The university supports over 80 student organizations, including the Marching Wildcats—the largest student organization with over 300 members, which was featured in the Netflix series Marching Orders. Student body composition reflects significant diversity, with 81% Black students and 81% low-income students receiving Pell grants.
As of 2023, Bethune–Cookman admitted 100% of applicants and does not require ACT or SAT scores for admission. The average enrolled student who submitted scores had an SAT score of 905 or ACT score of 16.5. The university welcomes undergraduate, graduate, and re-admit applications through its online portal.
U.S. News & World Report ranked B–CU #156-201 among National Liberal Arts Colleges (2023) and tied for #49 among HBCUs. The university was listed as the 6th least expensive private college in the U.S. (2024). Washington Monthly ranked B-CU 51st among 194 liberal arts colleges based on contribution to public good, including social mobility and public service.