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#2 Best Colleges in Ohio

Kenyon Admission Requirements

Gambier, Ohio

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Kenyon College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

34.3%
Admission Difficulty for Kenyon College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Kenyon is 34.3%.  Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in Ohio and the 132nd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Kenyon is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,784 out of the 8,116 who applied were admitted.

Kenyon College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.84. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Kenyon?

34% 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 Kenyon College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.84 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1430 on the SAT
  • Score 32 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Kenyon GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.84*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Kenyon College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Kenyon are to have around a 3.84 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Kenyon will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Kenyon is 3.84 on the 4.0 scale. 56% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #4 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Kenyon 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 3.8 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 Kenyon College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 56.3% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 19.3% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 11.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 8.8% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 3.1% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.5% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.84 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

Kenyon SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Kenyon College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 15% of students submitted SAT scores and 16% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1350-1515

Applicants Submitting SAT 

15%
SAT Scores for Kenyon College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 690
Math 25th Percentile 660
Composite 25th Percentile 1350
SAT Scores for Kenyon College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 760
Math 75th Percentile 755
Composite 75th Percentile 1515
Average SAT Score 1430

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Kenyon is 1430 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1350-1515. Students who get into Kenyon College score in the top 8 percent of all SAT test takers..  Kenyon ranks #3 in the state of Ohio and #72 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1430 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Kenyon regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1350 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1350, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1270, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Kenyon 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 1430 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 1432, you have around a 34% chance of being admitted. A 1515 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 50% chance of getting in.

Kenyon College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1515 and Above Good >50%
1432 to 1515 Avg + 34%-50%
1350 to 1432 Avg - 21%-34%
1268 to 1350 Reach 13%-21%
Less than 1268 Low <13%
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Kenyon ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

31-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

16%
ACT Scores for Kenyon College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 33
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 31
ACT Scores for Kenyon College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 32
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Kenyon?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Kenyon is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 31 and 34.  The school ranks #2 in Ohio and #77 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 31 and score in the score in the top 5 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 30.

16 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Kenyon College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Kenyon 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 Kenyon for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 34% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 55% with a 34 ACT score.

Kenyon College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >55%
32 to 34 Avg + 34%-55%
31 to 32 Avg - 25%-34%
30 to 31 Reach 18%-25%
Less than 30 Low <18%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

57% of Kenyon College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Kenyon College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 57%
Top 25% of class 81%
Top 50% of class 95%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Kenyon College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,504 3,612 8,116
Accepted 1,732 1,052 2,784
Acceptance Rate 38% 29% 34%
Enrolled 310 221 531
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 21% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

34

Applicants have 34 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

Kenyon 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 Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Kenyon College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Kenyon is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.84 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1430 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1515 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Kenyon College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=203535 IPEDS survey data for Kenyon College.

Last updated February 24, 2024