Berea College vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Berea College in Berea, KY with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Berea College vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College or Sewanee? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Berea College than Sewanee ($5,888 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 48.8% lower than at The University of the South ($8,208 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Berea College (about $4,462 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $51,658.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Sewanee than at Berea College (about $4,462 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $51,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 47.5% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($54,830 vs. $37,171).

Berea College vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College or Sewanee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sewanee and Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 80 points higher than at Berea College (1250).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Berea College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Berea College vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College and Sewanee? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $13,200 lower median loan debt than Sewanee graduates ($5,800 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sewanee graduates ($59 vs. $196).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berea College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.