Lindsborg, KSprivate nonprofitbethanylb.edu
Admit rate has ranged 66%–79% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Bethany College, a small liberal arts school in Lindsborg, Kansas, offers an intimate, community-focused education with a Swedish Lutheran heritage. With a 59% acceptance rate and a tight-knit campus of around 645 undergraduates, Bethany emphasizes personalized attention and strong outcomes—100% of the Class of 2023 were employed or in grad school within six months. Its quirky charm lies in its Scandinavian roots, Division III athletics, and a curriculum blending professional programs like Certified Financial Planning with traditional liberal arts.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Bethany College is moderately selective, with a 59% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/bethany-college-3808/applying)) and rolling admissions ([CollegeData](https://www.collegedata.com/college-search/Bethany-College-Bethany-WV)). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 930–1,190 on the SAT or 17–24 on the ACT ([College Raptor](https://www.collegeraptor.com/colleges/admissions/Bethany-College-WV--237181)). While no minimum GPA is specified, the school emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with applications due by January 11 for regular decision ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/bethany-college-bethany-wv/admissions)).
Bethany offers 40+ undergraduate programs ([Bethany WV](https://www.bethanywv.edu/academics/programs/)), with standout majors like Certified Financial Planning, Biology, and Communication & Media Arts. The curriculum emphasizes core skills in writing, quantitative analysis, and oral communication ([Academic Core](https://www.bethanywv.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/academic-core/)). Small class sizes foster close faculty interaction, and the First-Year Experience program integrates new students into academic life ([Undergraduate Studies](https://www.bethanywv.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/)). The Natural Sciences division includes niche tracks like Exercise Physiology and Coaching & Sports Performance ([Bethany LB](https://www.bethanylb.edu/academics)).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
With just 645 undergraduates (59% male, 41% female; [US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/bethany-college-3808/student-life)), Bethany’s campus thrives on tight-knit traditions and Division III athletics. Lindsborg’s Swedish heritage infuses events like the biennial Svensk Hyllningsfest. Residence life is central, with on-campus housing required for most students ([Residence Life](https://www.bethanywv.edu/student-life/residence-life/)). Some students note social cliques, particularly around Greek life ([Niche](https://www.niche.com/colleges/bethany-college-west-virginia/campus-life/)), but the college promotes inclusivity through mentorship programs ([Student Life](https://www.bethanylb.edu/student-life)).
Bethany boasts a 100% post-graduation employment/grad school rate for its Class of 2023 ([Student Outcomes](https://www.bethanywv.edu/academics/student-outcomes/)), though its six-year graduation rate is just 40% ([Varsity Tutors](https://www.varsitytutors.com/colleges/bethany-college-ks)). Median earnings 10 years post-graduation are $49,694 ([College Scorecard](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?154721-Bethany-College)). The low graduation rate (46% overall; [Research.com](https://research.com/best-colleges/bethany-college-west-virginia/graduation-rate-and-career)) suggests challenges with retention, but those who persist land solid outcomes.
Tuition and fees total $49,184 ([CollegeData](https://www.collegedata.com/college-search/Bethany-College-Bethany-WV)), but the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $16,844 after aid ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/bethany-college-bethany-wv/tuition-and-costs)). Nearly 79% of students receive financial aid, with average packages of $35,071. The Net Price Calculator ([Bethany WV](https://www.bethanywv.edu/admissions-aid/net-price-calculator/)) helps estimate costs, and institutional scholarships significantly reduce the sticker price.
Bethany’s appeal lies in its Scandinavian-infused identity, hyper-local community (Lindsborg’s population: 3,500), and unusual programs like Certified Financial Planning—rare for a small liberal arts college. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures mentorship, and the 100% outcomes rate (if not graduation rate) signals strong career preparation. It’s a place where students can carve a niche, whether in DIII sports, Swedish folk dancing, or biochemistry research.