All schools
PrivateRural

Bethany College

Bethany, West Virginia 26032

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitRural

Known for psychology — close-knit campus

Bethany College is a private institution in Bethany with particular strength in psychology and business.

A small campus of 642 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

46% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $44,512 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,306.

Established
1840
Type
Private liberal arts college
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

60%Acceptance
SAT Avg
642Students
12:1Student:Faculty
46%Grad Rate
$44,512Earnings 10yr
$15,306Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate60.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$34,816
Room & Board$12,936
Books & Supplies$700
Total Cost of Attendance$49,137
Average Net Price$15,306
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,618
$30–48K$10,220
$48–75K$14,911
$75–110K$20,457
$110K+$23,711

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

32.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$23,750

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

4

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (33)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

63%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
642
Gender Split
41% / 60%
Women / Men
First Generation
34%
Pell Grant Recipients
41%

Race & Ethnicity

White 48%
Black 18%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 7%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate46.3%
Freshman Retention63.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$37,124
10 Years$44,512

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#28
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History A liberal arts college, Bethany was chartered on March 2, 1840, by the Virginia legislature and given "all degree-granting powers" of the University of Virginia.
  • West Virginia's secession from Virginia on June 20, 1863, recognized existing Virginia charters; Bethany College continues to operate under the Virginia charter.
  • It was founded by Alexander Campbell, a minister in the Restoration Movement who provided the land and funds for the first building and served as the first president.
  • The college is the birthplace of Delta Tau Delta, an international social fraternity founded in 1858.
  • The Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

89Low

Estimated from KS state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
170 mi(295 min)
Denverpop. 710K
400 mi(693 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
403 mi(699 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City167 mi
OKC Oklahoma City220 mi
DEN Denver385 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1417 mi · ~40h 56m drive
New York, NY1264 mi · ~36h 31m drive
Hartford, CT1333 mi · ~38h 31m drive
Providence, RI1398 mi · ~40h 23m drive
Albany, NY1281 mi · ~37h drive
Syracuse, NY1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Rochester, NY1092 mi · ~31h 33m drive
Buffalo, NY1026 mi · ~29h 38m drive
Philadelphia, PA1205 mi · ~34h 49m drive
Pittsburgh, PA949 mi · ~27h 25m drive
Harrisburg, PA1113 mi · ~32h 9m drive
Newark, NJ1255 mi · ~36h 15m drive
Washington, DC1110 mi · ~32h 4m drive
Baltimore, MD1130 mi · ~32h 39m drive
Atlanta, GA812 mi · ~23h 27m drive
Charlotte, NC957 mi · ~27h 39m drive
Raleigh, NC1064 mi · ~30h 44m drive
Miami, FL1348 mi · ~38h 57m drive
Orlando, FL1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Tampa, FL1143 mi · ~33h 1m drive
Nashville, TN621 mi · ~17h 56m drive
New Orleans, LA737 mi · ~21h 17m drive
Richmond, VA1101 mi · ~31h 48m drive
Chicago, IL576 mi · ~16h 38m drive
Detroit, MI810 mi · ~23h 24m drive
Minneapolis, MN497 mi · ~14h 21m drive
St. Louis, MO403 mi · ~11h 39m drive
Kansas City, MO170 mi · ~4h 55m drive
Indianapolis, IN622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
Columbus, OH790 mi · ~22h 49m drive
Cleveland, OH868 mi · ~25h 5m drive
Milwaukee, WI596 mi · ~17h 13m drive
Dallas, TX404 mi · ~11h 40m drive
Houston, TX623 mi · ~18h drive
Austin, TX574 mi · ~16h 35m drive
San Antonio, TX634 mi · ~18h 19m drive
Los Angeles, CA1184 mi · ~34h 12m drive
San Francisco, CA1341 mi · ~38h 44m drive
San Diego, CA1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Seattle, WA1383 mi · ~39h 57m drive
Portland, OR1363 mi · ~39h 23m drive
Denver, CO400 mi · ~11h 33m drive
Phoenix, AZ878 mi · ~25h 22m drive
Salt Lake City, UT770 mi · ~22h 15m drive
Honolulu, HI3727 mi · ~107h 40m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Bethany College Application Checklist

Decision Notifications