Principia College vs. Berea College

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Berea College in Berea, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Berea College is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Berea College is in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Berea College 9:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 41% lower than at Principia College ($8,208 vs. $13,910).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at Berea College than at Principia College (about $16,978 more per year; $51,658 vs. $34,680).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at Principia College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 80.3% larger than aid received by Principia College students ($54,830 vs. $30,402).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Berea College than at Principia College (25 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are not reported at Principia College, test optional at Berea College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Berea College average a 3.62 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at Principia College (3.34).

Loans and repayment

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.