Bethel launches career commitment to support graduates after college

Bethel University is launching the Bethel Career Commitment, a bold new initiative that builds on the university’s mission to prepare students for meaningful work and lives of purpose. “Families are asking harder questions about the value of college, and this commitment makes our answer clear: a Bethel education prepares students for meaningful work and a confident future,” says Vice President for Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships Jess Daniels.

All bachelor’s students in the College of Arts & Sciences will receive additional career preparation and be eligible for additional support after graduation. If a graduate hasn’t secured a job offer or graduate school acceptance within six months of graduation, Bethel will step in with meaningful support to help them get there.

For those who require further support after graduation, the career commitment offers additional options. Eligible graduates may be able to choose from:

• Up to eight graduate-level credits in select Bethel programs at no cost, or

• Transitional employment opportunities at Bethel, based on staffing needs and availability

All graduates will continue to receive career coaching and guidance as they launch into careers or graduate school. “This is a bold step forward and an expression of our confidence in the preparation students receive at Bethel,” Bethel President Ross Allen says. 

Know what your education costs—and where it’s taking you

The new Bethel Career Commitment is rooted in 150 years of preparing graduates to serve and lead wherever they’re called, and alumni data shows that 99% of recent graduates are employed or continuing their education within a year of graduation. But it’s not only about celebrating strong outcomes; it’s about supporting students as they prepare, graduate, and launch their future. For those still seeking their next step, the Career Commitment ensures they receive meaningful support within that vital first year after graduation. For the graduates still seeking their next step, the career commitment ensures they receive meaningful support within that vital first year after graduation. Bethel continues building on that success in innovative ways that serve students and families.

The career commitment builds on Bethel’s clear tuition model, introduced last year to give families confidence about what they’ll pay. Together, clear tuition and the career commitment mean students know both what their education costs—and where it’s taking them. For Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment Paul McGinnis, that pairing answers two of the biggest questions on parents’ minds today: What will college cost? Is it worth it? “We are addressing one of the top concerns of prospective families today: Is college worth it? We know it is, and we’ve seen it with our graduates over and over again,” McGinnis says.

Bethel’s clear tuition and the career commitment are uncommon in higher education—only a handful of schools nationwide offer both. “These two initiatives set us apart from other universities in Minnesota and across the region,” McGinnis says. Together, they signal Bethel’s continued investment in students’ success, providing clarity about the cost of college today and confidence in their futures after graduation.

Support built in

The career commitment will be anchored in The Studio for Vocation and Calling, which launched earlier this year. It makes career exploration a visible, integrated part of every student’s journey. “The Studio is where students explore career paths, connect with mentors, and gain real-world experience,” says Director of Vocation, Pathways, and Partnerships Stan Thompson. “It’s designed to ensure every student has the preparation and support they need—not only for graduation but for what comes next.” This preparation continues after graduation through the Bethel Career Commitment, ensuring every graduate has support in the critical months after college.

The Studio also connects students with Bethel’s Royal Network, a community of professors, alumni, parents, and employers who open doors to meaningful opportunities. In the past year alone, Bethel brought more than 60 employers to campus, and alumni played a vital role by mentoring students, conducting informational interviews, and hiring Royals into internships and full-time positions. The result is a powerful network that strengthens opportunities for every student. “This Royal Network is powerful,” Daniels says. “Royals hire Royals.”

The Career Commitment builds on this foundation, ensuring students are supported as they prepare for life after college. The requirements tied to the Career Commitment were carefully chosen to give students confidence in their preparation and the path ahead. Key steps—like meeting with a career coach, completing internships, and preparing résumés or graduate school applications—are scaffolded across a student’s journey, ensuring they receive the right preparation at the right time. “I hope students from their first day will see how we come alongside them immediately to begin thinking through what life after college looks like—to encourage them and show them that if we break this into small, meaningful steps along their journey, they will be confident and prepared for the next chapter,” McGinnis says.

The Bethel Career Commitment begins with Bethel's 2026 graduates. However, students with 60 or more credits at the start of the fall 2025 semester will only be eligible for the graduate credit support. Students with 59 or fewer credits at the start of fall 2025 will be eligible for both graduate credit support and transitional employment opportunities.

A path with promise

The Bethel Career Commitment is the latest way we support students as they explore who God created them to be and how they are called to serve. At Bethel, students prepare for more than a career. They are invited to explore their calling, grow in faith, and consider how their gifts can make a difference in the world. 

Every Bethel student is on a pathway shaped by transformational academics, personal faith formation, and a rooted community life. It all culminates in a confident launch after graduation. “Graduates will launch with confidence, knowing they are well-prepared by excellent academics, meaningful experiences, and a community that continues to stand with them as they pursue the life and opportunities God has prepared for them,” Allen says.