See What Others Say
Recognized. Respected. Remarkable. See Why Berea College Stands Apart.
Berea is often described as “too good to be true,” but there is no catch. National publications, employers, and education professionals across the country consistently recognize Berea as a top-in-the-nation model for delivering an exceptional education at little to no cost. Their perspectives confirm what our students experience every day: Berea provides life-changing opportunity for students of great promise and limited financial means.
National Press Recognitions for Value
#1 Best College in the Nation, 2025
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And the number one college in America, by our lights, is Berea College, a liberal arts school in rural Kentucky. Berea provides moderate-to-low-income students from Appalachia with rigorous academics and valuable work experience while charging [no] tuition. Those students graduate with the lowest average debt levels in the country, many with degrees in socially beneficial fields like nursing, and with post-college earnings $5,000 higher than students with similar backgrounds at other schools.
National Press Recognitions for Educational Excellence
Forbes Magazine: Top 15 Colleges to Launch Careers
US News & World Report top rankings for:
Employers and Friends of the College
Gretchen Dykstra, Lessons from the Foothill: Berea College and Its Unique Roll in America (2024).
Employers Hire Berea Grads
Jason McKerr
Vice President for Engineering: Management and Automation
I hired my first Berea intern, and she went from intern to senior software engineer in less than 3 years. This has never happened in my experience. I hired my second Berea intern, and he is on the same track. I want to know what you are doing differently at Berea.
Educators and College Access Professionals
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Berea College is a unique liberal arts college that intentionally seeks out students who have a great capacity for learning and who also lack the means to pay for a college education. These students deserve access to a high quality education that is on par with their strengths and abilities, as well as their career goals.
Audrey Neal
Director, Murray State University
What makes Berea especially powerful is its intentional focus on students. The college’s commitment to accessibility, strong support systems, and a holistic approach to student success aligns closely with TRIO’s mission of expanding opportunity and removing barriers.