David Hasz, President & CEO, Bethany Global University

In an interview with Invest:, David Hasz, president and CEO of Bethany Global University, discussed the university’s transition to a fully online model amid the evolving landscape of higher education in the United States. “Economic factors played a major role in our decision, some of which were specific to Minnesota, but many were part of broader national trends in higher education,” he said.

Reflecting on the past year, what have been some of the key highlights and major milestones for Bethany Global University?

We are at a critical juncture in Bethany Global University’s history. While we’ve been a small, private Christian university in the Twin Cities, specifically Bloomington, for 16 years, the landscape of higher education in the United States is changing dramatically. As a result, we made a pivotal decision exactly one year ago to transition our university fully online and sell our physical campus in Minnesota. That sale has now been completed, and our student body is entirely online, though many students are still based in Minnesota.

This transition has had a significant impact on our enrollment. We were a specialized university, often considered small but focused. Previously, we had around 325 students, but now we’re down to about 70. We need to rebuild our enrollment in this new online format, which is quite different from what people have been accustomed to. Economic factors played a major role in our decision, some of which were specific to Minnesota, but many were part of broader national trends in higher education.

What is your perspective on the higher education landscape in Bloomington and the Twin Cities?

In Minnesota, the state legislature passed a bill a few years ago that grants free higher education to families making less than $80,000 per year. This has been great for public institutions, as taxpayer dollars are covering tuition costs. However, for private institutions like ours that don’t participate in the program, it presents a challenge. Students who may have otherwise chosen a private institution now face a choice: attend a public university for free or pay tuition at a private one.

Bethany Global University was one of just 10 work colleges in the United States, but we’ve since left the Work College Consortium because we no longer operate a physical campus. Our goal has always been to provide affordable higher education, especially for students from economically challenged backgrounds. Even now, we remain committed to keeping costs low. Our students pay, on average, just $10,000 per year for their education — a remarkable opportunity — but it’s still more expensive than free tuition at public universities.

That said, our degree offerings are highly specialized. We offer only three programs, all designed to prepare students for Christian service, often internationally. While I support accessible education, the state’s tuition program has added another factor to consider as we navigate the future of private higher education.

How is the school’s foreign study opportunity structured? Is it an exchange program, or is it more similar to how the U.S. Peace Corps operates but with a missionary focus?

That’s a good comparison — the Peace Corps is probably the closest model, though there are some differences. Our students participate in what we call the Global Internship Experience. Let me give you an example. My son is currently a freshman at Bethany Global University, and he’s doing his global internship. He raises financial support — similar to a missionary — through local churches, friends, and family. However, that funding goes toward his ministry work abroad, not his tuition. His tuition is paid separately. While taking online courses, he’s also engaged in ministry work in South Africa with one of our partner organizations.

Right now, 13 of our students are serving with that same partner. They work in neighborhoods and schools, engage with communities, and, in the evenings, complete their academic coursework online. It’s a unique model that allows them to learn and immediately apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

Typically, we don’t allow freshmen to participate in this program, but we’re testing it with my son — figuring if we mess up, at least his parents won’t sue. Normally, it’s our junior-year students who go abroad. The experience accelerates their personal and professional growth in a way that’s hard to replicate in a traditional college setting. Living in a foreign country — managing rent, cooking meals, paying bills, learning a new language, and working in ministry — matures them rapidly. When they return, they’ve developed a different mindset, one that’s much more globally aware and independent.

From your perspective, what is the value of higher education in the 21st century?

I absolutely value the trades. People working in those fields provide essential services, and for some, it’s the best career path. However, for those wanting to serve internationally, higher education is often a necessity. Many countries won’t grant visas unless you have a degree. If you want to teach in a school abroad or start a business that benefits the local community, you need to demonstrate your qualifications. For example, a degree in education or transformational entrepreneurship makes it far more likely that a foreign government will invite you in. Without a degree, you might only get a 90-day tourist visa, making long-term work impossible.

Beyond visas, education equips students with essential skills. At Bethany Global University, we emphasize practical theology — helping students understand how to share the gospel in culturally respectful ways. We don’t want to take a Western perspective and impose it on other cultures. Instead, we teach students to contextualize biblical truth in a way that aligns with local cultures while staying true to doctrine. That level of preparation takes time, study, and mentorship, which is why higher education remains valuable.

Higher education is still essential. The challenges are real, but it’s worth fighting for. Whether in public or private institutions, we must work together to ensure higher education remains relevant, affordable, and valuable for future generations.