Centre College vs Berea College

Centre College and Berea College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions in Kentucky, offer distinct educational experiences. Centre, with an acceptance rate of 58%, is slightly more selective than Berea, which admits 70% of applicants. Centre's student body is more diverse, with 17% international students compared to Berea's 5%. Centre excels in STEM fields, with popular majors including Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering, while Berea's strengths lie in the Social Sciences, with majors like Sociology, Psychology, and Political Science being highly sought after. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Centre's at 82% and Berea's at 68%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Berea College	Centre College
Overview
Location	Berea, Kentucky	Danville, Kentucky
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	84.0%	89.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	33.0%	68.0%
Application fees
SAT range	1118 - 1268	1235 - 1465
ACT range	23 - 28	27 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	8.0%	6.0%
Students submitting ACT score	46.0%	55.0%
Total number of applicants	1,736	2,567
Total number of admissions given out	573	1,745
Admitted students who chose to enroll	338	377
Yield rate	59.0%	21.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$54,396	$59,000
Average net price	$3,354	$22,470
Tuition	$42,900	$46,000
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $3,886 Meal plan: $3,598	Room/dormitory: $5,850 Meal plan: $5,850
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $52,253	100.0% Average amount $36,138
Students receiving federal student loan	4.0% Average amount $3,016	54.0% Average amount $5,347
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $758	6.0% Average amount $12,531

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,468 Men 40.7% Women 59.3%	1,320 Men 48.2% Women 51.8%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	7.8%	4.2%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	1,653	1,368
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Tennessee Alabama Georgia Ohio	Tennessee Ohio Mississippi Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Biological and Biomedical Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Psychology Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	65.6%	86.4%
Dropout rate	13.7%	13.6%
Transferred out	19.8%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,226 Year 2: $50,856 Year 3: $57,402 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,355 Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: $42,731 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,950 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $42,254 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $19,670 Year 2: $27,590 Year 3: $36,495 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,658 Year 3: $31,668 Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $21,939 Year 2: $19,455 Year 3: $28,681 Agriculture, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $21,131 Year 2: $18,315 Year 3: $26,792 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $18,315 Year 3: $24,639 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $17,023 Year 2: $20,687 Year 3: $24,324 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,035 Year 3: N/A	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,375 Year 2: $48,432 Year 3: $58,238 Sociology and Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $33,040 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,417 Year 2: $33,809 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $23,649 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,139 Year 2: $22,771 Year 3: N/A International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,343 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $21,467 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: N/A History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,089 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between Centre College and Berea College?

Centre College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college known for its strong academics, emphasis on study abroad, and vibrant campus life. Berea College, on the other hand, is a tuition-free work college with a mission focused on serving students with high academic promise and limited financial resources, primarily from Appalachia. Berea emphasizes service and labor as integral parts of the educational experience.
How do the costs of attending Centre College and Berea College compare?

Centre College has a tuition-based system, though they offer substantial financial aid packages. Berea College is tuition-free for all admitted students. Students at Berea are required to work at least 10 hours per week in campus jobs, contributing to the college's operations and gaining valuable work experience. While Centre students may also work, it is not a requirement.
What is the academic focus and reputation of each college?

Centre College is known for its strong liberal arts curriculum, particularly in the humanities, sciences, and pre-professional programs. It consistently ranks highly among national liberal arts colleges. Berea College also offers a strong liberal arts education, with a focus on experiential learning and social justice. While Berea's national ranking may vary, it is highly regarded for its unique mission and commitment to access and affordability.
What are the student demographics like at Centre College and Berea College?

Centre College attracts a diverse student body from across the United States and internationally, with a significant portion coming from the Southeast. Berea College primarily serves students from Appalachia, though it also enrolls students from across the US and internationally, with a strong emphasis on students from low-income backgrounds.
What is the campus environment and student life like at each college?

Centre College offers a traditional residential college experience with a strong emphasis on campus activities, clubs, and organizations. Study abroad is a very popular option. Berea College fosters a close-knit community with a focus on service, social justice, and student governance. The work program is a central part of student life, and students are actively involved in campus decision-making.
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available at Centre College and Berea College?

Centre College offers a range of merit-based and need-based scholarships and grants. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid through the FAFSA. Berea College provides a tuition scholarship to all admitted students, covering the full cost of tuition. Students are responsible for room and board, which can be offset through the work program and additional financial aid.
What are the career services and alumni networks like at Centre College and Berea College?

Centre College has a strong career services office that provides students with internships, career counseling, and job placement assistance. The alumni network is active and supportive. Berea College also offers comprehensive career services, with a focus on helping students find meaningful employment after graduation. The alumni network is particularly strong in Appalachia and among those committed to social justice.
What are the admission requirements for Centre College and Berea College?

Centre College has a highly selective admission process that considers academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, essays, and recommendations. Berea College has a need-blind admission policy, meaning that financial need is not a factor in the admission decision. Berea requires students to demonstrate both academic potential and financial need, with a preference for students from Appalachia.
What are the most popular majors at Centre College and Berea College?

At Centre College, popular majors include Economics, Government, Biology, English, and Psychology. At Berea College, popular majors include Biology, Business Administration, Computer Science, English, and Psychology. Both colleges offer a wide range of liberal arts disciplines.
Do Centre College and Berea College offer study abroad programs?

Yes, both Centre College and Berea College offer study abroad programs. Centre College is particularly well-known for its extensive study abroad opportunities, with a high percentage of students participating. Berea College also offers study abroad programs, often with a focus on service learning and international development.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Centre College and Berea College?

Centre College boasts a low student-faculty ratio, typically around 10:1, allowing for personalized attention and close interaction with professors. Berea College also maintains a low student-faculty ratio, generally around 10:1, fostering a supportive learning environment.
How do the athletic programs compare between Centre College and Berea College?

Centre College competes in NCAA Division III athletics and offers a wide range of varsity sports. Berea College also competes in NCAA Division III athletics, emphasizing participation and sportsmanship. Both colleges offer opportunities for students to participate in intramural sports and recreational activities.

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