Berea College
Berea, KY, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$5,184
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Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$45,026
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$45,026
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$7,742
Books and Supplies
$700
Tuition Payment Plan
No
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
84%
Average Aid Per Year
$49,928
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
84%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,514
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$42,164
Students receiving state aid
42%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$6,712
Students receiving federal aid
90%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,514
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$50,335
$30k - $48k
$49,553
$48k - $75k
$48,315
$75k - $110k
$47,753
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$78,237,048

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
10%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$2,391
Students receiving federal loans
10%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$2,499
Average Other Loans Per Year
$225
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$4,242
Loan Default Rate
9%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$46

What Students Are Saying

All full time students receive a full tuition scholarship just for coming to the college. Then the room and board fees are determined on what the FAFSA says your family can pay. Berea only takes students in low economic settings, and works on bringing students in from Appalachia and people of different ethnic origins.
Morgan from Campbellsville, KY
Berea is a tuition-free college; I don't know how it can get better than that. Berea only accepts students below a certain economic level, based on their FAFSA reports. After being founded in 1855, the college has focused on educating students from Appalachia; women; African-Americans; and a number of international students. Once accepted, a student will get a four-year tuition scholarship, even if a parent's income increases. This isn't a deal that looks fabulous and then charges students an insane amount for room and board; the last time I checked, the most students can pay for room and board is $6,600, and many students pay nothing at all (if their EFC is zero). In fact, a fair number of students (21%, off the top of my head) graduate without any student debt at all.
STUDY ABROAD--If you plan on studying abroad, Berea is the place to do it. The college will cover 75%/$11,000 of student costs for a term abroad, and something like 35% of student costs for a summer/short term abroad.
Emily from Lapeer, MI
tuition at berea college is free. each student pays part of their room and board based upon their family's income and pays for their own books. tuition is around $25,000 a year, so each student is looking at upwards of a $100,000 scholarship. students are given free laptops when they enter the college which they may keep upon graduation from the school. also, berea has funds set aside for all students to have an opportunity to spend time studying abroad. many students from berea graduate completely debt free, which is something to be said in this day and age.
Brittany from Berea, KY
Berea College provides the most financial aid of any college on Cappex. Every student receives a full tuition scholarship.
Sean from MT Sterling, KY
That is the biggest incentive to most students that come across Berea. Berea believes in the philosophy that students should not be just numbers. There is no tuition at Berea which essentially means you don't have to pay tons of money for an education that should be free. Having said that it does not mean it costs $0 to attend Berea. You will be responsible for room and board, books, and other fees, but when you think about compared to other schools that is a great trade off.
Mia Janay from San Pablo, CA
You are never going to find another US college for tuition free! Enough said!
Trish from WI
Imagine being accepted to a school that is extremely selective, gives every student a full-tuition scholarship plus more financial assistance, receiving a free, brand new laptop, and making the most of an education that many other colleges and universities wished they could live up to. And on top of that, being the #1 school in the US with the lowest student debt amongst its graduates. Welcome to Berea College!
dreamlikecrazy93
The tuition is free, but you have to pay for books, food, logging, all the extra things really. The college gives you a job to help pay for those things, and they give you money so that you can buy toothpaste or new clothes. All in all, Berea College is a money saver. To be able to get in, though, parents have to make under a certain amount.
Rhonda from Oak Ridge, TN
It is said that Berea College is the 'best education money can't buy.' However, be aware that even if your EFC is zero, your term bill will increase as you continue your time at the college. While you do not pay tuition, the cost of living and meals are not always covered and some people who have higher EFCs may pay up to a few thousand per year.
Also, Berea College offers very affordable study abroad plans. My planned trip will cost me about $2,000 out of pocket after grants and scholarships (which I have worked to save by being diligent with my labor program earnings).
Student from Berea, KY
BEREA COLLEGE OFFERS FREE TUITION!
Terrin from Berea, KY