Admit rate has ranged 36%–100% 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.
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School is a small, fiercely mission-driven Christian institution in rural North Dakota where spiritual formation and practical ministry training are inseparable from academic rigor. With an acceptance rate hovering around 26-36%, it attracts students committed to biblical studies and hands-on service, offering unique programs like Humanitarian Relief and Development alongside its newly launched Ph.D. in Practical Theology—the first doctoral program of its kind in the state.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
141
In-state tuition
$19,700
Out-of-state tuition
$19,700
Location
Ellendale, ND
Acceptance Rate
25.7-36.2%
Graduation Rate
46%
Notable Programs
Biblical Studies, Humanitarian Relief, Ph.D. in Practical Theology
Undergraduate Enrollment
160
Average Financial Aid Package
$13,130
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$35,604
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.8×
Median debt at graduation
$22,531
Graduation rate
46%
First-year retention
63%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
57%
Pell (lower-income) share
70%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$10,766
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
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.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Theological and Ministerial Studies$25,194
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
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
94
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
8°F
Annual rain
21.9"
Annual snow
39.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Trinity Bible College and Graduate School?
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School's acceptance rate is approximately 26% (Ellendale, ND), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Trinity Bible College and Graduate School cost?
At Trinity Bible College and Graduate School, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,359 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Trinity Bible College and Graduate School?
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School enrolls approximately 141 undergraduate students.
Where is Trinity Bible College and Graduate School located?
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School is located in Ellendale, ND.
Admissions
Getting into Trinity Bible College is moderately competitive, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 25.7% (per Data USA) to 36.2% (Sallie, PrepScholar). The college received 167 applications last year, admitting 43 students, with 160 ultimately enrolling. Test scores for admitted students typically fall between 18-26 on the ACT or 970-1,240 on the SAT (College Raptor). Notably, the $25 application fee is lower than many private institutions. The admissions process emphasizes alignment with the school's Christian mission as much as academic metrics.
Every undergraduate earns a B.A. in Biblical Studies alongside their chosen major—a distinctive structure reinforcing the school's theological core. Popular programs include Business Administration (40% of majors) and Bible/Biblical Studies (50% graduation rate in the field). The college made state history in 2025 by graduating its first Ph.D. candidates in two doctoral programs: Contextual Leadership and Practical Theology (Assemblies of God News). Faculty are described as deeply invested in students' spiritual growth alongside academic development (Niche). The curriculum balances traditional classroom learning with practical ministry training, particularly through programs like Humanitarian Relief and Development.
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.
Life at Trinity Bible revolves around its "missional DNA" and tight-knit community. The college emphasizes spiritual formation through chapel services, ministry opportunities, and intentional discipleship. Athletics (though not specified which sports) provide another outlet for community building. Alumni newsletters highlight a culture where academic, social, and spiritual growth are intentionally intertwined. With just 160 enrolled undergraduates, relationships with faculty and peers are intensely personal—the school markets itself as a "family-like community" where lives are "transformed" through shared faith and purpose.
The college's 46% graduation rate (EduRank) falls in the bottom third nationally, though this may reflect its unique population of ministry-bound students who sometimes leave for field assignments before completing degrees. No specific salary data is available, but the focus on ministerial training suggests many graduates enter lower-paying but high-impact roles in churches, nonprofits, and global missions. The school's strong emphasis on practical theology and leadership development aims to prepare students for immediate vocational ministry rather than traditional career tracks.
With 91% of undergraduates receiving financial aid (averaging $13,130 per student), Trinity works to make its programs accessible. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is approximately $20,462 (College Board), though higher-income families ($110K+) can expect to pay around $25,832. The school offers numerous scholarships for full-time traditional undergraduates, emphasizing its commitment to affordability for ministry-minded students. A dedicated net price calculator helps families estimate true costs beyond the sticker price.
Trinity Bible College carves out a singular niche: it's where aspiring ministers and missionaries go for rigorous academic training that never loses sight of hands-on gospel work. The requirement that every undergraduate earn a dual degree in Biblical Studies ensures theological grounding across all disciplines. Its new Ph.D. programs—unprecedented in North Dakota—signal ambitious growth while maintaining focus on practical ministry skills. For students seeking a small, intensely communal Christian education where classroom learning directly fuels real-world impact, Trinity offers a rare blend of academic seriousness and spiritual fervor.
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School logo · sourceGraduate School at Trinity Bible College & Graduate School · sourceTrinity Bible College and Graduate School Case Study – Populi · sourceTrinity Bible College Makes State History with First Ph.D. Graduates | AG News · source
