Berea College Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

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.

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

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

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.

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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 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.

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.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

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

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.

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.

Admission Statistics

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

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

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?

Credits Accepted

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.