Berea College Earns Prestigious 5-Star Rating in Money’s 2026-27 Best Colleges Rankings

June 29, 2026

BEREA, Ky. – Berea College has once again been recognized among the nation’s highest-value colleges, earning a coveted 5-star rating in Money’s 2026-27 Best Colleges rankings. The distinction places Berea among just 42 colleges and universities nationwide to receive Money’s highest rating for delivering exceptional value to students.

Unlike rankings that emphasize institutional prestige or selectivity, Money evaluates colleges based on the return they provide to students and families. The publication weighs 25 measures of value – including affordability, graduation rates, student debt and graduate earnings – with affordability carrying the greatest weight.

In highlighting Berea College, Money noted the College’s distinctive educational model, saying, “Berea charges no tuition and provides every student with an on-campus work experience that helps offset living expenses while building valuable professional skills.” Indeed, 78 percent of students enrolled in the 2025-26 academic year paid zero to study at Berea – no tuition, no housing and meal costs and no fees. 

“Our students come to Berea with extraordinary gifts – creativity, determination, resilience, compassion and a desire to make a difference in the world,” said Berea College President Cheryl L. Nixon. “In return, Berea provides an education of exceptional value: a nationally recognized liberal arts degree, meaningful work experience and the freedom to pursue lives of purpose without the burden of debt. This recognition affirms what our students prove every day: that when talent and opportunity meet, remarkable things happen.”

Money’s 2026-27 rankings include more than 700 colleges and universities nationwide. Rather than relying on reputation or exclusivity, the publication focuses on measurable outcomes that matter most to students and families.

Berea College has long been recognized for providing an exceptional education to students with great promise and limited economic resources. Every admitted student receives the College’s Tuition Promise Scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition, while the College’s Work Program ensures every student graduates with meaningful work experience alongside a nationally recognized liberal arts education.For more information on Berea College, visit www.berea.edu.