How to get into Belhaven University
How to get into Belhaven: a small Christian liberal arts university in Jackson with a strong arts program
49.8%
Acceptance rate
$30,250
In-state cost
What makes Belhaven University admissions different
Belhaven University is a small (~1,500 undergrad) private Christian liberal arts university in Jackson, MS, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America. The arts programs (Dance, Theatre, Visual Art, Music) are the school's distinctive feature — Belhaven is one of a small number of accredited NASD/NASM/NASAD/NAST member institutions, meaning the dance, music, art, and theatre programs all hold national accreditation. The campus is historic (the McComas Hall and the campus on State Street in Jackson) and the Christian identity is central but open to non-PCA Christians and inquirers. The Mississippi state context — Belhaven is one of the few private Christian liberal arts options in the state — shapes its in-state pipeline.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App or Belhaven's institutional application. Submit transcripts, recommendation, and the personal statement.
- 2.
If arts are the focus, schedule an audition (for music, dance, theatre) or submit a portfolio (for visual art) — arts admission and scholarship runs through these processes, separate from general admission.
- 3.
Maintain a strong GPA in college-prep coursework. SAT/ACT is considered; submitting reinforces a borderline file.
- 4.
Apply for institutional merit and named scholarships at the time of application. Belhaven's merit aid is meaningful and Christian-affiliated outside scholarships often stack.
- 5.
Address the Christian-life fit honestly. Belhaven's Christian identity is reflected in chapel, required religion coursework, and a community-life code — applicants who engage with the mission do better than applicants who treat it as a formality.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing audition or portfolio deadlines for arts admission. Arts scholarships are competitive and the audition/portfolio is the deciding factor.
- ✕
Treating Belhaven as a non-religious small college. The PCA-affiliated Christian identity shapes daily life.
- ✕
Underestimating the NASD/NASM/NASAD/NAST accreditation value for arts. Few small Christian colleges hold all four arts accreditations; Belhaven graduates compete in MFA admissions and professional auditions on credentialed footing.
The specifics for Belhaven University
Application deadlines
- Priority application2026-03-01
- Arts audition / portfolio deadlinesVariesVerify with the specific arts program (Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Art).
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Quadruple-accredited arts programs (NASD, NASM, NASAD, NAST) ↗
Belhaven is one of a small number of accredited members of all four national arts accreditation bodies: National Association of Schools of Dance, Music, Art and Design, and Theatre. Few small Christian colleges hold all four arts accreditations.
Presbyterian Church in America affiliation
Belhaven is affiliated with the PCA. Chapel attendance, required religion coursework, and a community life code shape campus culture.
What graduates actually do
Belhaven is a Presbyterian Church (USA) liberal arts university in Jackson, Mississippi, with a distinctive arts program (one of only 35 NASAD/NAST/NASM/NASD accredited universities offering majors in all four arts disciplines). Graduates feed Jackson-area public schools, the University of Mississippi Medical Center pipeline, regional Presbyterian ministry, and the Mississippi creative arts community.
Notable alumni
- Eudora Welty — Pulitzer Prize-winning author (briefly attended)
Transfer pathway
Belhaven accepts transfer students with a 2.0+ GPA and participates in Mississippi's statewide articulation agreement for state community college credits. Hinds Community College and Holmes Community College are the largest feeders. The university also offers adult-completion and online transfer pathways.
Articulation partners
Hinds Community College · Holmes Community College · Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App (supplements re-verified this pass). Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Belhaven is reachable for applicants with college-prep coursework and mission-fit. Arts applicants should prepare a strong audition or portfolio — the arts pipeline is the strongest pre-professional story.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.