B
Private 4 Year

Berea College Admission Requirements

Berea, Kentucky

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Your chances of getting into Berea College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

24.6%
Admission Difficulty for Berea College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Berea College is 24.6%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in Kentucky and the 94th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Berea College and can you get accepted?

Berea College is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 545 out of the 2,217 who applied were admitted.

Berea College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.62. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 65% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Berea College?

25% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Berea College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.62 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1220 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Berea College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.62

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Berea College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Berea College are to have around a 3.62 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Berea College is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Berea College is 3.62 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in Kentucky for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Berea College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Berea College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 14.7% Good
3.75 to 3.99 30.6% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 20.3% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 22.2% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 9.4% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 2.8% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Berea College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Berea College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 8% of students submitted SAT scores and 40% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1136-1298

Applicants Submitting SAT 

8%
SAT Scores for Berea College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 578
Math 25th Percentile 558
Composite 25th Percentile 1136
SAT Scores for Berea College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 673
Math 75th Percentile 625
Composite 75th Percentile 1298
Average SAT Score 1220

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Berea College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Berea College is 1220 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1136-1298. Students who get into Berea College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Berea College ranks #3 in the state of Kentucky for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1220 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Berea College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1136 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1136, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1050, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Berea College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1220 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1217, you have around a 25% chance of being admitted. A 1298 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 39% chance of getting in.

Berea College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1298 and Above Good >39%
1217 to 1298 Avg + 25%-39%
1136 to 1217 Avg - 15%-25%
1055 to 1136 Reach 8%-15%
Less than 1055 Low <8%
Calculate My Chances 

Berea College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

40%
ACT Scores for Berea College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 22
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for Berea College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Berea College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Berea College is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 27.  The school ranks #3 in Kentucky for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 21.

40 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Berea College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Berea College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Berea College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 25% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 39% with a 27 ACT score.

Berea College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >39%
25 to 27 Avg + 25%-39%
23 to 25 Avg - 15%-25%
21 to 23 Reach 8%-15%
Less than 21 Low <8%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

77% of Berea College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Berea College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 27.6%
Top 25% of class 77.2%
Top 50% of class 98%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Berea College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,295 922 2,217
Accepted 342 203 545
Acceptance Rate 26% 22% 25%
Enrolled 216 137 353
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 63% 67% 65%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Mar 31, 2025

Days left to Apply

171

Applicants have 171 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Mar 31, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Berea College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Berea College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Berea College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Berea College
AP Credit
Dual Credit
Credit for Life Experiences

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Berea College is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.62 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1220 on the SAT and optimally 1298 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 25 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=156295 IPEDS survey data for Berea College.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does Berea College prefer SAT or ACT?

8% of students submit their SAT scores to Berea College. 40% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Berea College?

25% of those who apply are granted admission to Berea College. Admission competition is high and the college has challenging admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Berea College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1136 and 1298. The average SAT score is 1217. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Berea College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 23 and 27. The average ACT score is 25. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.