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Tuition-free since 1892
Berea College campus aerial fall

Tuition-free since 1892

You make it possible.

Berea is a special place. Founded in 1855 as the South's first interracial and co-educational college, Berea has been unique from the outset. And for over 130 years, the College has not charged its students tuition.

We only serve students with limited resources and unlimited potential. Every student at Berea College is part of a unique and inclusive mission that reflects equal opportunity. Berea offers a world-class education to students of high potential, but who come from families of limited resources. We believe our students deserve access to life-changing educational opportunities, without the shackles of tuition-debt.

No tuition. No kidding.

$0
The amount every enrolled student pays in tuition

Berea College has paid every student’s tuition since 1892. In addition, the College covers as much housing, meals and fees as allowed by the FAFSA.

#1
Washington Monthly magazine has ranked Berea College the #1 liberal arts college in the nation in its 2024 College Guide and Rankings

81%
of Berea’s fall 2025 class attend at zero cost.

Berea covers the cost of tuition, housing, food and fees.

Berea by the Numberschevron_right

How can Berea College afford to not charge tuition?

Starting a century ago, all estate gifts to the College—money or real estate left to us in the wills of generous supporters—were deposited into our endowment. Read about this historic decision here. Over time, this endowment has grown to more than $1 billion. Our endowment earnings provide 74% of our operating budget. Another 19% comes from state and federal aid. Generous donors help us raise the remaining 7% every year.

Our mission is impossible without generosity.

To continue our mission, we must raise nearly $5 million annually. Thanks to our donors, we have met this goal each year, enabling Berea College to continue educating those with high academic promise and limited economic means by providing nearly 1,600 deserving students with a Tuition Promise Scholarship to cover the cost of tuition. This is a full-tuition scholarship for all admitted students.

Student and Alumni Voices

Berea in the News

Lincoln Hall at Berea College
The Little College Where Tuition is Free and Every Student is Given a Job

By Adam Harris, The Atlantic

Ariel photo of the Berea College Draper building and the surrounding mountains
Berea College: Has a US university cracked student debt?

By Holly Honderich, BBC News

What is the impact?

A Berea education impacts EVERYONE. Society as a whole benefits from an educated populace. We have example after example of Berea alumni who have changed the world. But to be very specific, we benefit first-generation and low-income college students who otherwise could not afford to pay for their education. We benefit the Appalachian region when graduates return to their hometowns and invest in their communities. And we benefit a society struggling with issues of equity, diversity and equality. Our motto—God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth—speaks to our inclusive mission to benefit as many people as possible.

We're student-centered

52%
First-Generation Students Fall 2024

96%
Percentage of our students who are Pell Grant recipients

48%
Students of color

It's important that we continue the legacy of the South's first interracial and co-educational college

How we support studentschevron_right

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