“A historic HBCU founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in 1904 — a cornerstone of Black higher education in Florida.”
Bethune-Cookman University is a private, Methodist-affiliated historically Black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, founded on October 3, 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune — the legendary educator, civil rights activist, and advisor to four U.S. presidents — who famously started the institution with just $1.50, vision, and deep faith. Originally the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training Institute for Negro Girls, the school grew to 250 students within two years and merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville in 1923 to become Bethune-Cookman College. The institution achieved university status in 2007 and today serves as one of Florida's cornerstone HBCUs. The university is organized around the College of Arts and Sciences (home to Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology, and Social Sciences) and the School of Business (Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing), along with schools in education, nursing, and religion. The most popular majors include Liberal Arts and General Studies, Business Administration, Psychology, Communication & Journalism, Kinesiology, Biology, Criminal Justice / Homeland Security, and Education. Nursing and Criminal Justice graduates achieve some of the strongest post-graduation salaries, with nursing alumni earning $77,000+ and Criminal Justice grads near $50,500. U.S. News 2026 ranked Bethune-Cookman #183-201 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #97 among Top Performers on Social Mobility, highlighting its role in advancing first-generation students. Campus life centers on the Wildcats athletic tradition (NCAA Division I, Southwestern Athletic Conference), the iconic Marching Wildcats band, and programming rooted in Dr. Bethune's legacy — including the annual Founders Day convocation and ongoing presence as a National Historic Landmark (the Mary McLeod Bethune Home is on campus). Daytona Beach's oceanfront location offers students beach access within walking distance, alongside strong ties to Florida's tourism, hospitality, and aerospace industries (Kennedy Space Center is ~75 miles south). The university has become an important destination for Black students seeking an affordable, values-centered, heritage-rich college experience with annual tuition that has not risen since 2021 — held at $14,794 for 2025-26.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Top Performers on Social Mobility
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourcePriority Deadline
Rolling admission; priority scholarship consideration
Final Deadline (Fall)
Final transcripts and documents due by August 1
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$14,794
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, psychology, social sciences, humanities, and physical sciences
Accounting, finance, management, marketing, and hospitality management — AACSB-aligned curriculum serving Florida's business community
Teacher preparation programs licensed for Florida K-12 placement, including Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Physical Education
BSN program with strong clinical placement in Daytona-area and Central Florida hospitals
Religious studies, theology, and ministry programs continuing the university's Methodist heritage
4 years
Highest-earning major at Bethune-Cookman with graduates earning ~$77,509 on average. Strong clinical partnerships with Halifax Health and AdventHealth systems in Central Florida.
4 years
Well-established program with strong earning outcomes (~$50,500 median) and pipeline to federal law enforcement, corrections, and homeland security agencies.
4 years
Comprehensive business curriculum connecting students to Florida's tourism, hospitality, and financial services sectors, with specializations in accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $14,794
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
