Kenyon Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Gambier, OH
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#2 Best Colleges in Ohio

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Kenyon Admission Overview

Kenyon admission requirements are highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Ohio. Last year Kenyon admitted 31% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1358-1503 / ACT 31-33. Kenyon is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Kenyon is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Kenyon Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

31%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Kenyon acceptance rate is 31%. Last year, 2,397 of 7,726 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Ohio and the 113rd lowest in 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, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Kenyon GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.84*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.84*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Kenyon has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.84 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Kenyon is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.84 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Kenyon SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1358-1503

Freshmen who sent SAT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 678
Composite 1358

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 743
Math 760
Composite 1503

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Kenyon typically score around a 1430 SAT (middle 50% 1358–1503) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 97th percentile nationally. Kenyon ranks #3 in the state of Ohio and #79 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1358 to 1503

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Kenyon is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1430 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Kenyon College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1503+	Above 75th	>46%
1430 to 1503	Avg +	31%-46%
1358 to 1430	Avg -	19%-31%
Below 1358	Below mid-50	<19%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Kenyon ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

31-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

10%

25th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 27
Composite 31

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 33
Composite 33

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Kenyon typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Kenyon places #2 among colleges in Ohio and #80 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Kenyon without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Kenyon College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
33+	Above 75th	>46%
32 to 33	Avg +	31%-46%
31 to 32	Avg -	19%-31%
Below 31	Below mid-50	<19%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Kenyon chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Kenyon College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,843	3,872	7,726
Accepted	1,434	959	2,397
Acceptance Rate	37%	25%	31%
Enrolled	242	196	439
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	17%	20%	18%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Kenyon College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Kenyon College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Kenyon is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 31% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1358-1503); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025