Bethune-Cookman University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Bethune-Cookman University is a private research university in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving roughly 2,732 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 88.24% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $38,518 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $14,794
- 2024 Average Net Price: $12,030 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 88.24% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,732 97.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 30.52%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 42.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 6.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 76.0%
- Average SAT Score: 880
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,967
- Applicants (IPEDS): 6,844
- Room & Board: $10,396 annual estimate
Bethune-Cookman University: what the data shows
Common questions about Bethune-Cookman University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Bethune-Cookman University?
Bethune-Cookman University is located in Daytona Beach, FL (ZIP 32114-3099).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Bethune-Cookman University public or private?
Bethune-Cookman University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Bethune-Cookman University cost?
Published tuition: $14,794.
Average net price after aid: $12,030.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $10,896 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,487 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,346 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,882 |
| $110,001+ | $18,654 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $59,176.
How hard is it to get into Bethune-Cookman University?
Admission rate: 88.24%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 880 and midpoint ACT 17.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Bethune-Cookman University?
Total enrollment: 2,732 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,967 students.
Graduate enrollment: 115 students.
About 98% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Bethune-Cookman University?
150%-time completion rate: 30.52%.
First-year retention: 61.8%.
What do graduates of Bethune-Cookman University earn?
Median earnings: $28,282 six years after entry; $38,518 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $31,000.
78.30% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Bethune-Cookman University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (64 completions)
- Psychology, General (41 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (36 completions)
- Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other (30 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (29 completions)
- Mass Communication/Media Studies (27 completions)
- Organizational Behavior Studies (18 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (13 completions)
- Sociology, General (8 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (7 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Bethune-Cookman University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 88.24%; completion rate 30.52%; median earnings $38,518 at 10 years; net price $12,030. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$14,794
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Bethune-Cookman University was $14,794.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$12,030
2024 Value
In 2024 Bethune-Cookman University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,030.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$48,120 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$12,030 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$59,176 4-Year Tuition
$10,396 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,450 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$26,640 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$106,560 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Bethune-Cookman University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
78.30% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
82.03% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Bethune-Cookman University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Bethune-Cookman University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $14,410 | $14,410 | $17,057 |
| 2014 | $14,410 | $14,410 | $16,447 |
| 2015 | $14,410 | $14,410 | $17,092 |
| 2016 | $14,410 | $14,410 | $16,960 |
| 2017 | $14,410 | $14,410 | $17,824 |
| 2018 | $14,814 | $14,814 | $15,372 |
| 2019 | $14,814 | $14,814 | $16,995 |
| 2020 | $14,794 | $14,794 | $17,517 |
| 2021 | $14,794 | $14,794 | $11,854 |
| 2022 | $14,794 | $14,794 | $15,861 |
| 2023 | $14,794 | $14,794 | $14,892 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
88.24% Acceptance Rate
6,844 Total Applicants
6,834 Students Admitted
702 First-Time Students Enrolled
10.27% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 880
ACT Average: 17
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Bethune-Cookman University reported total enrollment of about 2,732 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Black or African American (54.3%), Race/ethnicity unknown (36.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.3%). About 78.30% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 42.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Bethune-Cookman University in 2024 is 2,732 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,967 students. Graduate enrollment is about 115 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
61.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Black or African American at 54.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
16.12% 100% Completion Time
30.52% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 16.12% of students graduating from Bethune-Cookman University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 55% male / 45% female
- Psychology, General: 17% male / 83% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 53% male / 47% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Black or African American.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Bethune-Cookman University.
Return on Investment
$31,000 Median Student Debt
$38,518 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
80.48% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
700.46% Return on Investment
8.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Bethune-Cookman University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 31 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 64 completions
2. Psychology, General: 41 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 36 completions
4. Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other: 30 completions
5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 29 completions
6. Mass Communication/Media Studies: 27 completions
7. Organizational Behavior Studies: 18 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 13 completions
9. Sociology, General: 8 completions
Most popular programs at Bethune-Cookman University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Bethune-Cookman University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Bethune-Cookman University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 76.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,167
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,053
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Bethune-Cookman University is a private non-profit institution located in Daytona Beach, FL, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 2,732 students. Student body composition includes Black or African American (54.3%), Race/ethnicity unknown (36.8%), Hispanic or Latino (5.3%). The admission rate is 88.24%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 880. The 150%-time completion rate is 30.52%. Approximately 78.30% of students receive Pell Grants. About 42.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3099
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 30.52% graduation rate at Bethune-Cookman University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bethune-Cookman University located?
Bethune-Cookman University is located in Daytona Beach, FL.
What is Bethune-Cookman University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Bethune-Cookman University is 88.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 6,844 applicants and 6,834 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Bethune-Cookman University cost?
Reported tuition is $14,794 and average net price is $12,030 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,396 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Bethune-Cookman University?
Bethune-Cookman University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,967 students, Black or African American (54.3%), Race/ethnicity unknown (36.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Bethune-Cookman University?
About 42.2% of students at Bethune-Cookman University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Bethune-Cookman University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Bethune-Cookman University reports midpoint SAT about 880 and midpoint ACT about 17.
What do graduates of Bethune-Cookman University earn?
Median earnings are $28,282 six years after entry and $38,518 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Bethune-Cookman University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 30.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Bethune-Cookman University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $31,000.
Is Bethune-Cookman University public or private?
Bethune-Cookman University is a private nonprofit institution located in Daytona Beach, FL.
Is Bethune-Cookman University an HBCU?
Yes. Bethune-Cookman University is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is Bethune-Cookman University a tribal college?
No. Bethune-Cookman University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Florida college costs
- Florida colleges by ROI
- Daytona Beach, Florida city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Florida
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.