Just a few weeks ago,  24/7 Wall Street ranked Berea College #8 on their list top U.S. schools with the lowest returns on investment. Today we learned of Berea’s jaw-dropping approach that seems to refute this ranking:

The school’s home page delivers a very strong message:

Berea is the only one of America’s top colleges that awards every enrolled student a no-tuition promise.

Our generous TUITION PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP makes it possible for you to graduate debt-free. Even if you borrow for special learning opportunities or to replace your family’s total contribution, you will have a low debt compared to national trends. We sometimes call Berea “the best education money can’t buy.

Berea’s Tuition Promise Scholarship

All admitted students to Berea College receive our Tuition Promise Scholarship. This scholarship is combined with financial aid you may receive as well as any other scholarship you may be awarded by outside parties or organizations to cover 100% of tuition costs. For most Berea students, the Tuition Promise Scholarship amounts to nearly $100,000 over four years.

Berea’s Fast Facts

• Founded: 1855
• Academic programs: Bachelor degrees in 32 majors
• 15 teacher education programs
• 16 national and international honor societies
• The Berea Term Abroad program pays up to 75 percent of student cost
• Student-to-faculty ratio – 10:1
• Of incoming new students, 58 percent ranked in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating classes.
• 1,600 undergraduates, from 43 states, 2 U.S. territories and 62 countries
• 120 international students

International Students

No-Tuition Promise’ also applies to international students.  Please note that Berea College has a “Labor Program” which allows you to work so you don’t have to pay any tuition.   Below are the details:

Labor Program

Education at Berea, where students pay no tuition, involves both academics and student labor.

• Every student works 10-15 hours per week while carrying a full academic load.
• Students earn money for books, food and other expenses, and their appreciation for the dignity and utility of labor is enhanced.
• Students gain valuable job experience for their future careers by working in more than 100 college offices, departments and off-campus programs.

BEREA COLLEGE

• Address: Berea, KY
• Tel: 859-985-3000 or 1-800-326-5948.
• Email: askadmissions@berea.edu
• Website at  https://www.berea.edu/

For international students:

• Your cost for room & board in the first year is zero.   That means it is free and all you have to pay is your books and supplies and your personal expenses.
• After the first year, you will get $1,000 off on your expenditure for room and board.