Berea College
A good fit for competitive applicants and families who need the lowest possible cost. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker; 84% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Berea College is a private nonprofit institution located in Berea, Kentucky with approximately 1,513 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 19%. The average net price after financial aid is $6,106 per year. The graduation rate is 58%, and the typical graduate earns $36,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Berea College is a private liberal arts work college in Berea, Kentucky, United States. Founded in 1855, it was the first college in the Southern United States to be coeducational and racially integrated. It admitted non-White students from as early as 1866 until 1904, and again after 1954.
This is a strong option for students who need financial help, as the average net price of just $4,483 per year — paired with a median graduation debt of only $3,516 — makes it one of the most affordable four-year colleges in the country. The numbers tell a mixed story, though: a 62% graduation rate suggests a meaningful share of students don't finish, which is worth asking about during a visit. If you're a motivated, mission-aligned student who will take full advantage of the work-college model and small community, the value here is genuinely hard to beat.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,513 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY · Public
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY · Public
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · Public
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · Public
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · Public
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.