Kenyon College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Gambier, Ohio · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
31%
7,726 applicants
Median SAT
1420
Mid 50: 1370–1473
In-state tuition
$71,520
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$38,512
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Kenyon College is a private nonprofit university in Gambier, Ohio that admits about 31% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $38,512 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for English Language and Literature, General, Economics and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 82% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 7.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Kenyon College is a private institution located in Gambier, Ohio with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Kenyon College admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 31%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1420 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,512 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Kenyon College?

64% of enrolled students at Kenyon College had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.9, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
41.0%
3.75–3.99
23.0%
3.50–3.74
18.0%
3.25–3.49
8.0%
3.00–3.24
5.0%
2.50–2.99
4.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kenyon College.

What does Kenyon College weight in admissions?

Kenyon College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important4 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
Important10 factors
  • Class rank
  • Standardized test scores
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • State residency
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

SAT and ACT scores Kenyon College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 678–760, with an EBRW midpoint near 715. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1370
50th percentile1420
75th percentile1473
% submitting SAT11%
ACT Composite
25th percentile31
50th percentile32
75th percentile33
% submitting ACT10%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class61%
Top 25% of class84%
Top 50% of class96%
% submitting class rank18.7%

How much does Kenyon College actually cost?

Published tuition is $71,520 for in-state students and $71,520 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,640 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $38,512 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 10% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$71,870
Room and board$17,380
Average net price (after aid)$38,512
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Kenyon College

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/15
Notification date3/23
Reply deadline5/1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 15
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 15

Will my child graduate from Kenyon College?

These predict outcomes at Kenyon College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
91.6%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
66.6%
finished on time
6-year graduation
82.2%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Kenyon College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Kenyon College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are English Language and Literature, General, Economics and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Kenyon College confers roughly 328 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its English Language and Literature, General program report a median income of about $44,562 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
English Language and Literature, General70$44,562
Economics61$85,978
Psychology, General48
Political Science and Government44
History33
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics25
Biology, General24
Fine and Studio Arts23
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Kenyon College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Kenyon College disclosed 13 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 7.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 13 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
13
7.5 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
13
7.51 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,732 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Kenyon College?

About 100% of undergraduates at Kenyon College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 20% of men join a fraternity and 28% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
100%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
20%
of men
In sororities
28%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kenyon College.

Other colleges in Ohio parents ask about

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Common questions parents ask about Kenyon College

What GPA do I need for Kenyon College?

64% of enrolled students at Kenyon College had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.9, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Kenyon College typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 678–760, with an EBRW midpoint near 715. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–33.

How much does Kenyon College actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Kenyon College after grants and scholarships is $38,512 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $71,520. Budget against the net figure.

Is Kenyon College realistic for my child?

Kenyon College admits 31% of applicants, so 678–760 SAT Math is target range and below 678 is a reach. Then check the $38,512 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Kenyon College?

Kenyon College accepts about 31% of applicants out of roughly 7,726 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is Kenyon College test-optional?

Yes. Kenyon College is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Kenyon College?

About 82% of students at Kenyon College graduate within six years, and 67% finish in four years. 92% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Kenyon College look for in applicants?

Kenyon College rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Kenyon College a public or private school, and where is it located?

Kenyon College is a private nonprofit institution located in Gambier, Ohio.

What are the most popular majors at Kenyon College?

The largest undergraduate majors at Kenyon College by annual graduates are English Language and Literature, General, Economics and Psychology, General. The school awards about 328 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Kenyon College safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Kenyon College reported 13 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 7.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Kenyon College?

At Kenyon College, 100% of undergraduates live on campus, 20% of men are in fraternities, 28% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kenyon College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers