Spelman vs. Berea College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Berea College in Berea, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Berea College is in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Berea College 9:1.

Spelman vs. Berea College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Berea College? 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 Spelman ($5,888 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 54.6% lower than at Spelman College ($8,208 vs. $18,091).
• Berea College is 63.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $20,102 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.7% higher at Berea College than at Spelman College (about $20,102 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 416.6% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($54,830 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Berea College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or Berea College? 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 Berea College and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 40 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Spelman students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Berea College (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Berea College 1156/1335.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Berea College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Berea College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Berea College (3.62).
• Spelman has a higher acceptance rate (24.9%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 53.8% at Berea College.

Spelman vs. Berea College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Berea College? 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 Spelman College earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $21,200 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($5,800 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $220 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($59 vs. $279).
• More Berea College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 47%)

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.