Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Carlinville, Illinois |
| Online | blackburn.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Rural Fringe |
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Blackburn College, located in the small town of Carlinville, Illinois, approximately 60 miles northeast of St. Louis, operates as one of the nation's few federally-recognized work colleges. The 80-acre campus combines historic red-brick buildings with modern facilities in a rural setting. Founded in 1837 by Presbyterian minister Gideon Blackburn, the college implements a distinctive student work program where all residential students participate in campus operations, from facilities management to administrative functions, helping to maintain the institution while reducing educational costs. The liberal arts curriculum emphasizes programs in education, business, biology, and environmental science, with all students completing both academic requirements and work assignments. Residential students live in one of four campus dormitories, participating in NCAA Division III athletics as the Blackburn Beavers.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Blackburn College is rated within the lower 43% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 888/1125 |
| ACT | 16/24 |
| GPA | 3.23 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $500 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $9,120 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,700 |
| Total One Year Cost | $39,078 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Education | 18% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 16% |
| Communication | 10% |
| Biology | 9% |
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Students considering Blackburn College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=143288 IPEDS survey data for Blackburn College.
Current students may use the Blackburn College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025