# Bethel University

> Tennessee

**Wikidata**: [Q4897957](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4897957)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethel_University_(Tennessee))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bethel-university-q4897957

## Summary
Bethel University is a private, higher education institution located in McKenzie, Tennessee, affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1842, it operates as a seminary and university, serving over 4,000 students with a focus on master's programs and professional education. The university manages over $95 million in total assets and maintains an admission rate of 76%.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: 325 Cherry Ave, McKenzie, Tennessee, 38201 (Coordinates: 36.1425, -88.5151).
- **Founded**: 1842.
- **Institution Type**: Private not-for-profit educational institution; also classified as a seminary and university.
- **Religious Affiliation**: Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
- **Enrollment**: 4,001 students (as of Sept 2020).
- **Staff**: 622 employees (as of Sept 2020).
- **Finances**: Total assets of $95,046,663 USD; Endowment of $11,601,662 USD (as of June 30, 2020).
- **Admissions**: Acceptance rate of 0.76 (76%); Yield rate of 0.36 (36%) in 2020.
- **Academics**: Operates on a semester calendar; Carnegie Classification includes "Master's colleges and universities: larger programs."
- **Athletics**: Program known as the "Bethel Wildcats."
- **Digital Presence**: Website `bethelu.edu`; Social media handles include `@BethelUniv` (Twitter/X) and `betheluniversity` (Instagram/LinkedIn).
- **Identifiers**: GRID ID `grid.446604.4`, ISNI `0000000405834952`, ROR ID `05wnc7373`, IPEDS ID `219718`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the religious affiliation of Bethel University?
A: Bethel University is affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It functions both as a university and a seminary.

### Q: Where is Bethel University located?
A: The university is situated in McKenzie, Tennessee, at 325 Cherry Ave, 38201.

### Q: How large is the student body and staff?
A: As of September 2020, the university employed 622 staff members and enrolled 4,001 students.

### Q: What is the Carnegie Classification of the university?
A: It is classified as a "Master's college or university with larger programs," featuring a high undergraduate focus and professions-dominated curriculum with some graduate coexistence.

## Why It Matters
Bethel University serves as a significant educational and religious hub in rural West Tennessee, providing higher education opportunities aligned with the values of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. With a history spanning back to the mid-19th century, it represents a long-standing tradition of private education in the region. Its classification as a "Master's college" with larger programs indicates a substantial contribution to professional training and graduate education in the area, supported by a robust asset base of over $95 million. The institution bridges theological training with broader academic disciplines, impacting both the local community of McKenzie and the wider church community.

## Notable For
- **Historical Foundation**: Established in 1842, making it a long-standing institution in Tennessee.
- **Religious Dual Role**: Functions uniquely as both a broad university and a seminary under the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
- **Admissions Selectivity**: Maintains a moderate acceptance rate of 76% with a yield of 36%.
- **Financial Scale**: Manages a significant financial portfolio for a regional private institution, with total assets exceeding $95 million.
- **Digital Reach**: Maintains a multi-platform social media presence, including YouTube and TikTok, with thousands of followers.

## Body
### History and Affiliation
Bethel University was founded in 1842. It operates as a private, not-for-profit educational institution. Its foundational identity is closely tied to the **Cumberland Presbyterian Church**, serving as a seminary in addition to its broader academic role. Historical and encyclopedic context is provided via its entry in the Tennessee Encyclopedia (ID: `bethel-college`).

### Location and Campus
The university's physical campus is located at **325 Cherry Ave, McKenzie, TN, 38201**. Geographically, it is positioned at latitude 36.1425 and longitude -88.5151. The campus is mapped in OpenStreetMap (Way ID: `732466634`). The setting is described as "primarily nonresidential" and "medium full-time" in terms of student engagement characteristics.

### Academics and Classification
The institution follows a **semester-based academic calendar**. According to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Bethel University is categorized under several descriptors:
- **Master's Colleges and Universities**: Larger programs.
- **Undergraduate Instruction**: High undergraduate focus.
- **Graduate Instruction**: Postbaccalaureate, education-dominant, with arts & sciences; professions focus with some graduate coexistence.
- **Size and Setting**: Four-year, medium, primarily nonresidential; four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in.

### Student and Staff Demographics
As of the September 2020 reporting period:
- **Total Enrollment**: 4,001 students.
- **Employees**: 622 staff members.

Admissions data from 2020 indicates an **acceptance rate of 0.76** (76%) and an **admission yield rate of 0.36** (36%).

### Financials
The university maintains a substantial financial standing as of June 30, 2020:
- **Endowment**: $11,601,662 USD.
- **Total Assets**: $95,046,663 USD.

### Athletics
The university's athletic program competes under the name **Bethel Wildcats**.

### Digital Presence and Media
Bethel University maintains an active presence across various digital platforms:
- **Website**: `http://www.bethelu.edu/` (English).
- **Social Media**:
    - **Twitter/X**: `@BethelUniv` (3,481 followers as of April 2020; 3,551 followers as of Jan 2021).
    - **Facebook**: `betheluniv`.
    - **Instagram**: `betheluniversity`.
    - **LinkedIn**: `bethel-university-of-tennessee`.
    - **TikTok**: `betheluniversitytn`.
    - **YouTube**: Channel `betheluniversity1842` (ID: `UCuea0FF8eFlVb8OFXzZzQ3A`), created March 20, 2014, with 102 videos and 959 subscribers (as of Jan 2025).

### Administrative Identifiers
The institution is indexed in numerous national and international databases:
- **Wikidata**: Q47866.
- **ISNI**: 0000000405834952.
- **GRID**: grid.446604.4.
- **ROR**: 05wnc7373.
- **IPEDS**: 219718.
- **Ringgold ID**: 40842.
- **Library of Congress (LCCN)**: Via FAST ID 1161597 context.
- **LittleSis Org ID**: 34400.

### Wikipedia and Categorization
The entity is represented in English and Chinese Wikipedia (`en`, `zh`) with the title **"Bethel University (Tennessee)"**. It has aliases including "Bethel," "Bethel College," and Chinese variants like "貝澤爾學院 (田納西州)". The main category for the topic is **"Category:Bethel University (Tennessee)"**, with alumni listed under **"Category:Bethel University (Tennessee) alumni"**.

## References

1. [GRID](https://www.grid.ac/institutes/grid.446604.4)
2. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
3. Google Knowledge Graph
4. Freebase Data Dumps
5. [Source](http://www.bethelu.edu/)
6. [Source](https://www.bethelu.edu/)
7. GRID Release 2016-05-31
8. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
9. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
10. National Center for Education Statistics
11. YouTube API