
Bethune-Cookman University is a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, with a student body of 2,746 as of 2023. The university was founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls with just five students. The school has since undergone several stages of growth and development, including a merger with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida, in 1923, which resulted in the creation of Bethune-Cookman College. Today, Bethune-Cookman University offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees and is ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly. The university is known for its diverse community and its focus on student success, with a wide range of student organizations and a marching band that has starred in the Netflix series Marching Orders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Type of University | Private historically black university |
| Year founded | 1904 |
| Number of bachelor's degrees offered | 39 |
| Number of master's degrees offered | 6 |
| Number of student organizations | More than 80 |
| Number of enrolled students | 2,746 |
| Average annual cost | $17,517 |
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What You'll Learn
- Bethune-Cookman University was founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
- The Daytona Beach, Florida-based university admitted 100% of applicants as of 2023
- The university offers 39 bachelor's and 6 master's degrees
- Bethune-Cookman has over 80 student organisations, including a marching band with over 300 members
- The university has an undergraduate enrolment of 2,746 students

Bethune-Cookman University was founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
On October 3, 1904, Bethune-Cookman University was founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an exceptional young Black woman. Dr. Bethune started the university, then known as the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, with $1.50, faith in God, and five students—five little girls and her five-year-old son, Albert Jr.
Dr. Bethune was the first in her family not to be born into slavery, and she became one of the most influential women of her generation. She was a national civil rights pioneer and activist, a champion of African American women's rights and advancement, and an educator. Her philosophy of education was built on the three-fold training of head, hand, and heart, advocating for a rounded education with a belief in the dignity and refinement of labour.
The university grew steadily under Dr. Bethune's leadership. Within two years, the school grew to 250 students. In 1923, the school merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida, which had been founded in 1872. The merger was finalized in 1925, and the merged institution was called the Daytona-Cookman Collegiate Institute. In 1931, the college became accredited by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States as a junior college, and its name was officially changed to Bethune-Cookman College to reflect Dr. Bethune's leadership.
Bethune-Cookman University has come a long way since its humble beginnings. It achieved university status in 2007 with the introduction of a graduate program in transformational leadership. The university is committed to educating a diverse community of learners to become responsible, productive citizens and solution seekers through the promotion of faith, scholarship, creative endeavours, leadership, and service. It aims to be the nation's top HBCU, preparing students for a changing world with a future-focused mindset and capabilities.
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$47.05

The Daytona Beach, Florida-based university admitted 100% of applicants as of 2023
Bethune-Cookman University, a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, has a student-centric approach to education. The university's mission is to educate a diverse community of learners to become responsible, productive citizens and solution seekers through the promotion of faith, scholarship, creative endeavours, leadership and service.
The university has a rich history that dates back to 1872, when the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida was founded. In 1904, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an exceptional young Black woman, founded the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls with just $1.50, her faith in God, and five students. The school later merged with the Cookman Institute in 1923, becoming a co-ed high school. Through the years, the university has undergone several stages of growth and development, eventually becoming Bethune-Cookman University.
As of 2023, the university admitted 100% of applicants. Bethune-Cookman University does not require ACT or SAT test scores for admission, focusing instead on providing a holistic education that empowers students with future-forward, 21st-century mindsets and capabilities. The university offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees, along with a variety of student organizations and a strong culture centred around the African American experience.
Bethune-Cookman University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has a long legacy of producing leaders in various fields, including arts, business, education, and health sciences. With its commitment to student success and a changing world, the university helps students develop enduring skills such as creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. The university's acting president and engaged Board of Trustees are dedicated to building on this legacy and educating tomorrow's leaders.
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The university offers 39 bachelor's and 6 master's degrees
Bethune-Cookman University (B–CU or Bethune–Cookman) is a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, starting with five girls and her son, Albert. The university is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has a rich history, having undergone several stages of growth and development.
Today, Bethune-Cookman offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, including 39 bachelor's degrees and 6 master's degrees. The university's academic programs are designed to empower students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world. The curriculum focuses on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to adapt to the transforming job market.
The College of Arts and Humanities is a cornerstone of the university, offering a diverse range of majors and minors. Students can explore fields such as performing arts, public relations, and communication. The College of Business and Entrepreneurship develops strong business professionals by providing a holistic combination of business knowledge, skill development, professional growth, and ethical understanding.
Bethune-Cookman also offers a robust education in the sciences, with the College of Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics providing students with access to the latest advancements and discoveries in their fields. The university's academic programs are designed to cater to individual talents, backgrounds, and perspectives, creating an inclusive and enriching learning environment.
With a total undergraduate enrollment of around 2,415 students, Bethune-Cookman provides a small-university experience, fostering a close-knit community. The university's selective admissions have an acceptance rate of 99%, and it offers a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, ensuring that students receive a personalized education.
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Bethune-Cookman has over 80 student organisations, including a marching band with over 300 members
Bethune-Cookman University (B–CU) is a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. The university was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, who opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls with $1.50, her faith in God, and five students. The school has since undergone several stages of growth and development, including a merger with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida, in 1923, which made it a co-ed high school.
Today, B-CU offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees and, as of 2023, admitted 100% of applicants. The university has a wide range of student organizations, with over 80 in total, including fraternities and sororities. These organizations provide students with opportunities to build their community, pursue their interests, and serve the city of Daytona Beach.
One notable student organization is the Marching Wildcats, the university's marching band. With over 200 members, including instrumentalists, the Sophisticat Flag Corp, and the 14 Karat Gold Dancers, the Marching Wildcats are a source of pride for the university. The band strives to deliver outstanding half-time performances, and its dancers are frequently featured in BET video clips promoting black colleges.
In addition to the marching band, B-CU's student organizations encompass a diverse range of interests and focuses. For example, the Faces Modeling Troupe, Inc. offers opportunities for students interested in modelling and the performing arts. There are also organizations that foster community-building and personal development, such as Progressive Black Men, Inc., and Sister 2 Sister, Inc.
The university's fraternities and sororities play a significant role in shaping the identity of Greek Life on campus, with a history dating back to 1948. These organizations emphasize traditions, scholarship, community service, brotherhood, and sisterhood. Students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority must attend a mandatory Greek Life Intake Seminar, which is held throughout the semester. The university also has specific requirements and eligibility criteria for membership, including a minimum number of completed credit hours.
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The university has an undergraduate enrolment of 2,746 students
Bethune-Cookman University, a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, has an undergraduate enrolment of 2,746 students. The university was founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who started the school with just five students and $1.50. The school has grown and developed over the years, merging with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida, in 1923 and becoming a co-ed high school. Today, Bethune-Cookman offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees, with a focus on student success and developing future-forward, 21st-century mindsets. The university has a strong culture as an HBCU, centred on the African American experience and the celebration and advancement of African American culture.
Bethune-Cookman University's undergraduate enrolment of 2,746 students reflects its commitment to providing a diverse community of learners with a quality education. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, gender, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status in its admissions policies. Instead, it aims to educate and empower its students to become responsible, productive citizens and leaders in their fields.
The university offers a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for its undergraduate students. With more than 80 student organizations on campus, including academic and honour societies, Greek fraternities and sororities, community service groups, and performance groups, students can find a sense of community and explore their interests beyond the classroom.
The undergraduate enrolment of 2,746 students also contributes to the vibrant and supportive atmosphere that defines the Bethune-Cookman experience. The university is focused on helping students succeed academically and personally, providing hands-on intellectual and personal development in a small-university community. Students work closely with great teachers and turn their visions into reality, developing essential skills such as creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking.
As a private university, Bethune-Cookman's undergraduate enrolment of 2,746 students also has financial implications. The university offers financial aid and scholarships to its students, with an average annual cost of $17,517 for undergraduate students. The university also awards an average of $4 million in grants and scholarships to help students earn their degrees and become leaders in their chosen fields.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, Bethune-Cookman University has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,746 students.
Bethune-Cookman admitted 100% of applicants as of 2023.
The university was founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune as the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, with just five students. In 1923, it merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida, and became a co-ed high school.
Bethune-Cookman University offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees.
The university aims to educate a diverse community of learners to become responsible, productive citizens and solution seekers through the promotion of faith, scholarship, creative endeavours, leadership, and service.











































