Bethune-Cookman University — College Profile

About

Bethune-Cookman University, a historic private HBCU in Daytona Beach, Florida, is renowned for its rich legacy of empowerment and academic excellence, carrying forward the visionary spirit of its founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Prospective students will find top-tier academic opportunities here, particularly in highly regarded programs like nursing, business administration, criminal justice, and hospitality management. The campus culture is vibrant and deeply tight-knit, characterized by beloved HBCU traditions, active student leadership, and the electrifying performances of the world-famous "Pride" Marching Wildcats band. What truly sets BCU apart is its scenic coastal location just minutes from the beach, combined with an enduring commitment to the institutional motto, "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve," which inspires a lifelong dedication to civic engagement.

Wikipedia:Bethune–Cookman University is a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bethune–Cookman University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The primary administration building, White Hall, and the Mary McLeod Bethune Home are historic venues.

Location

Daytona Beach, FL, 32114-3099 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MCO · Orlando

56 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$14,794

Housing & food (on campus)$10,396

Books & supplies$1,450

Cost of attendance$35,208

Average net price$12,030

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$14,794

Housing & food (on campus)$10,396

Books & supplies$1,450

Cost of attendance$35,208

Average net price$12,030

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.cookman.edu

How it’s made up · 2026-27

Bethune-Cookman University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$14,536

Fees$998

Housing$7,744

Food$3,646

Personal expenses$3,300

Transportation$2,854

Total published by the school$35,208

Source: www.cookman.edu · checked Sep 29, 2026

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$10,896

$30–48k

$11,487

$48–75k

$14,346

$75–110k

$17,882

$110k+

$18,654

Your family's actual price → Bethune-Cookman University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2024-25

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$10,832

First-years who got one33

Source: Bethune-Cookman University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

29%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

16%

Back for yr 2

62%

Transferred

24%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

36% graduated · 10% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 53% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$28,282

10 yrs after entry$38,518

Debt

Median at graduation$31,000

Monthly payment$329

Middle 50% owe$9.5k–$34.4k

90th percentile$46,250

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

88%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

880

R 430–510 · M 400–480

ACT midpoint

SAT middle 50%: 830–990

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Bethune-Cookman University: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Bethune-Cookman University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Bethune-Cookman University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body

Gender

Men 37%Women 63%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

17 : 1

Pell grant

78%

First-gen

42%

Family income

$22,913

Independent

Age at entry

20.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

Hispanic

Black

54%

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

37%

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Cross Country
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Women's
Track and Field (Indoor)
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$28,282

After 10 yrs

$38,518

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities64

Psychology, General44

Criminal Justice and Corrections39

Business Administration, Management and Operations39

Communication and Media Studies35

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness29

Sociology14

Biology, General12

Information Science/Studies8

Music8

Gerontology6

Political Science and Government6

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing6

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods5

Computer Engineering5

Hospitality Administration/Management5

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$41M

Full-time faculty

76%

Faculty salary

$7,167/mo

Teaching spend

$11,053

per student

Federal loans

82%

Classification

Carnegie type

Baccalaureate — arts & sciences

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, inclusive admissions