Berea College offers a high-quality education to academically promising students with limited economic resources. It awards every student a Tuition Promise Scholarship so that no Berea student ever pays tuition. Founded in 1855, Berea is the first interracial and coeducational college in the South and consistently ranks among the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges.
Many factors distinguish Berea College, including:
- No student pays tuition; each student receives a Tuition Promise Scholarship worth almost $200,000 over four years.
- Ninety-three percent of 2018-2019 graduates had either studied abroad, had a paid internship, engaged in research mentored by a faculty member, or taken a service-learning course.
- One of only eight federally recognized Work Colleges in the United States.
- Known nationally for its innovative and outstanding service-learning program.
- Extensive collection of materials and non-commercial musical recordings documenting the history and culture of Southern Appalachia.
- Outreach to Appalachia through federally funded programs and student-led service projects.
- Multiple Compton, Fulbright, Truman, Udall and Watson fellowship winners.
- The EDGE (Empowering a Dynamic Generation through Education) Program provides all first-year students with a laptop computer that is theirs to keep upon graduation.
Majors & Minors
Berea College offers majors in more than 30 fields of study that can lead to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and/or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AT BEREA
- African & African American Studies
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
- Appalachian Studies
- Art & Art History
- Asian Studies
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Child & Family Studies
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Education Studies
- Engineering Technologies and Applied Design
- English
- Foreign Languages
- General Studies
- Health & Human Performance
- History
- Mathematics
- Music
- Nursing
- Peace & Social Justice Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Studies of Religions and Spirituality
- Sustainability & Environmental Studies
- Theatre
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet university entrance requirements in their own country and present outstanding secondary or leaving exam results. Applicants must also present scores from one of the following approved standardized tests: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT, or Duolingo. The minimum score required for each test is:
TOEFL: 520 (paper-based); 190 (computer-based); 68 (internet-based)
IELTS: 6 overall, 5 in each area
ACT: 19 Composite
SAT: 980 Combined Score
Duolingo: 95
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HOW TO APPLY -BEREA COLLEGE? -No application FEE .
Apply as an International Student
Berea College has a long history of welcoming students of all nationalities, religious faiths, races, and ethnicities. If you come to Berea, you will surely be welcomed. Admission to Berea College is competitive, and students are encouraged to read all information provided here before submitting an application. Check out this guide with step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Please contact us with any questions.
| International | Early Action I | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | October 15 | January 15 |
| Decision Notification | mid-December | mid-March |
| Deposit Due | April 1 | May 1 |
The following items are required to complete an application for admission. All materials should be submitted via the online application portal.
1. Apply for Free Online
Complete the Berea College Application for Admission for International Students when it becomes available in August. There is no application fee.
2. Personal Essay
The essay should be 2-5 pages. As this essay may be used to assist in course placement, students should receive no assistance in writing or editing the essay. The essay prompt is provided to all students once the online application is submitted.
3. Copy of official secondary school records
These must include all secondary school records, university transcripts, matriculation exams, and other leaving exams appropriate to your country. Academic records should be translated into English and the copies certified by school officials.
4. Two Teacher Recommendation Forms
Whenever possible, you should request that persons writing recommendations on your behalf submit the official form provided via the online application portal. You may also download the form here and upload the completed form to your online application portal. We will accept written recommendations, preferably typed, which are not completed using our official form. All recommendations should be written in English.
5. Financial Resources Confirmation Form
This form should be completed by a school administrator, employer, religious leader, or another individual who can make a statement about your personal and financial resources, as well as barriers, as they relate to your pursuit of higher education. This form may NOT be completed by a close relative. The Financial Resources Confirmation Form should be written in English.
6. Official Test Scores
All international applicants must submit a report from one of the following exams: IELTS, Duolingo, TOEFL, SAT or ACT. This requirement includes students from English-speaking countries. You must provide a copy of your test report as part of your online application, even if you have requested an official copy be sent to Berea from the testing center. International applicants may NOT apply test-optional.
Admission Deadline: Applicants wishing to be considered Early Action must submit all application components by October 15. The Regular Deadline for August enrollment is January 15.
