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Bethune-Cookman University

Bethune-Cookman Bethune-Cookman College Bethune Cookman BCC B-CC B-CU

Daytona Beach, Florida 32114-3099

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanSports cultureHBCU

Known for business — excellent value

Bethune-Cookman University is a private institution in Daytona Beach with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 913, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.4K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

28% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,518 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,892.

Established
1904
Motto
On seal: "Heart, Head, Hand""Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve"
Mascot
Wil D Cat
Type
Private historically-black university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

100%Acceptance
913SAT Avg
2,414Students
14:1Student:Faculty
28%Grad Rate
$38,518Earnings 10yr
$14,892Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 913

Reading & WritingMid: 470
430520
MathMid: 435
400480

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 17
1518

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$14,794
Room & Board$10,396
Books & Supplies$1,450
Total Cost of Attendance$29,782
Average Net Price$14,892
Median Debt at Graduation$31,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$329

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,728
$30–48K$14,194
$48–75K$16,399
$75–110K$19,105
$110K+$20,662

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

21.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$22,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

20

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

5

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

5

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (42)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

56%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,414
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
42%
Pell Grant Recipients
77%

Race & Ethnicity

White 1%
Black 58%
Hispanic 3%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate27.8%
Freshman Retention56.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$28,282
10 Years$38,518

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#156
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#51
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Mary McLeod Bethune with a group of students in 1943 Mary McLeod Bethune founded the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904.
  • The first students met in the home of John Henry and Alice Smith Williams.
  • In 1923, it merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida, founded in 1872, and became a co-ed high school.
  • Bethune-Cookman College is a result of the merger in 1923 of the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Girls, founded in 1904 by Dr.
  • Mary McLeod Bethune and Cookman Institute for Boys, founded in Jacksonville in 1872 by Rev.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

108Above Average

Estimated from FL state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Orlandopop. 310K
51 mi(88 min)
Tampapop. 390K
122 mi(211 min)
Miamipop. 440K
244 mi(423 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCO Orlando56 mi
JAX Jacksonville97 mi
TPA Tampa125 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1065 mi · ~30h 46m drive
New York, NY888 mi · ~25h 39m drive
Hartford, CT986 mi · ~28h 29m drive
Providence, RI1024 mi · ~29h 35m drive
Albany, NY1013 mi · ~29h 16m drive
Syracuse, NY994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
Rochester, NY982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY953 mi · ~27h 32m drive
Philadelphia, PA814 mi · ~23h 31m drive
Pittsburgh, PA778 mi · ~22h 29m drive
Harrisburg, PA800 mi · ~23h 7m drive
Newark, NJ885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
Washington, DC708 mi · ~20h 27m drive
Baltimore, MD741 mi · ~21h 24m drive
Atlanta, GA371 mi · ~10h 43m drive
Charlotte, NC416 mi · ~12h 1m drive
Raleigh, NC475 mi · ~13h 43m drive
Miami, FL244 mi · ~7h 3m drive
Orlando, FL51 mi · ~1h 28m drive
Tampa, FL122 mi · ~3h 31m drive
Nashville, TN585 mi · ~16h 54m drive
New Orleans, LA545 mi · ~15h 45m drive
Richmond, VA612 mi · ~17h 41m drive
Chicago, IL950 mi · ~27h 27m drive
Detroit, MI914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Minneapolis, MN1278 mi · ~36h 55m drive
St. Louis, MO836 mi · ~24h 9m drive
Kansas City, MO1031 mi · ~29h 47m drive
Indianapolis, IN786 mi · ~22h 42m drive
Columbus, OH751 mi · ~21h 42m drive
Cleveland, OH850 mi · ~24h 33m drive
Milwaukee, WI1029 mi · ~29h 44m drive
Dallas, TX965 mi · ~27h 53m drive
Houston, TX863 mi · ~24h 56m drive
Austin, TX1004 mi · ~29h drive
San Antonio, TX1051 mi · ~30h 22m drive
Los Angeles, CA2202 mi · ~63h 37m drive
San Francisco, CA2436 mi · ~70h 22m drive
San Diego, CA2144 mi · ~61h 56m drive
Seattle, WA2531 mi · ~73h 7m drive
Portland, OR2513 mi · ~72h 36m drive
Denver, CO1540 mi · ~44h 29m drive
Phoenix, AZ1848 mi · ~53h 23m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1907 mi · ~55h 5m drive
Honolulu, HI4749 mi · ~137h 12m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Bethune-Cookman University Application Checklist

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