Acceptance Rate
88%
Avg. SAT
990
75th percentile
“Mary McLeod Bethune's Daytona Beach HBCU pioneers aviation training alongside teacher and nurse preparation.”
Daytona Beach, FL
Location
Small City
Campus Setting
Bethune-Cookman University traces its roots to 1904, when Mary McLeod Bethune started a school for girls with five students and $1.50 worth of supplies. She built it into a training institute that merged with Cookman Institute in 1923, gaining university status decades later through persistent growth focused on practical skills and leadership. The campus carries Bethune's spirit of resilience and service, drawing students who value close-knit guidance and real-world preparation over cutthroat competition.
You'll thrive here if you're a determined first-year commuter or dorm resident ready to balance studies with community involvement, especially in fields like flying or teaching. The personality feels familial and motivational, with influences from its United Methodist ties emphasizing character alongside academics. Daytona Beach surrounds the campus with ocean breezes and speedway roars, but expect hot, humid summers and tourist traffic that can slow your commute.
Tradeoffs include a smaller scale that limits course variety compared to massive state schools, and the beach town's lively distractions might test your focus during peak seasons.
Photo Gallery
+7
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In classrooms, you'll join small discussion groups where professors push you to connect theory to practice, like simulating flight operations or dissecting criminal cases. Standout programs include aeronautical science, where students log real flight hours, alongside solid tracks in nursing, education, and business administration. Research chances open up early through faculty-mentored projects on coastal environmental issues or public health.
The intellectual culture rewards hands-on learners who ask questions freely, though introductory classes in high-demand majors like nursing fill quickly and require solid grades to advance. With around 2,700 undergrads, personal attention comes naturally, but options dwindle for niche advanced topics found at larger research universities.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
2,738 undergrad • 115 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
1%
Black / African American
59%
Hispanic / Latino
3%
Asian
<1%
Other / Multi-racial
37%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Daytona Beach, FL
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week mixes morning lectures, afternoon club meetings, and evening beach walks or Wildcats football watch parties. Greek organizations and the marching band energize homecoming with step shows and parades, while dorm life builds bonds through floor events and study sessions. The vibe pulses with school spirit, especially during MEAC athletic rivalries.
Residential options house most students in traditional halls with meal plans, fostering easy friendships but sometimes noisy nights. Social scenes lean toward on-campus events over sprawling bar districts, and the warm Florida weather invites outdoor hangs year-round—except during rainy season downpours. Smaller size means a tight community, though some find the tourist-heavy surroundings pull focus from studies.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Southwestern Athletic Conf.
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$10,985
$30K – $48K
$11,311
$48K – $75K
$13,529
$75K – $110K
$16,733
$110K+
$14,708
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
62%
4 Years Graduation Rate
17%
6 Years Graduation Rate
29%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$38,518
62% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Bethune-Cookman University and return in the fall. 17% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 29% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
17%
4-5 years
12%
6-8 years
6%
Non-grad
65%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$13,844
Acceptance
88%
Undergrads
2,738
4-Year Grad Rate
17%
Endowment
$32M
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3099