Kenyon College
#1 Best Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 84% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $71,830 A
- Top 7% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $38,512 F
- 125% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 31% A
- Admits roughly 31% — highly selective
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $17.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,607,315.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 76% more than the national college median.
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A 84% graduation rate — 48% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.6%
- Top 38%
- Patents
- 10
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 17
- Downstream influence
Why Kenyon College Matters
Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,732
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, English & Literature, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose Kenyon College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 31% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1358–1503. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $38,512 a year after grants and scholarships — 125% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $71,830 ten years after enrolling — 76% above the typical college, against $18,527 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 93% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.83 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 31%, Kenyon College attracts students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply in their studies. This college is a great fit for those drawn to the liberal arts, particularly in fields like Social Sciences, English & Literature, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, and Psychology. Students here tend to value critical thinking and creativity, making it a vibrant community for aspiring writers, artists, and scientists.
After graduation, Kenyon alumni can expect solid earnings, with a median income of $71,830 after ten years. This level of income reflects not just a degree but a transformative experience that often leads to upward mobility in various careers. While the college has a relatively low Pell Grant rate of 10%, indicating that many students come from families that can afford to pay, the return on investment is promising for those who graduate and put their education to work.
When considering the financial aspects, the average net price after aid sits at $38,512, which can be a significant investment. However, the median debt of $18,527 suggests that students are not leaving with overwhelming financial burdens. Those who thrive at Kenyon often come with a passion for learning and a willingness to immerse themselves in a challenging yet supportive environment. The college is well-suited for individuals who appreciate close-knit communities and are prepared to make the most of their college experience.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Kenyon College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kenyon College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 31%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,429. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 31%
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- SAT Average
- 1429
- ACT Midpoint
- 33
- SAT Range
- 1358–1503
- ACT Range
- 31–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 98%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,767
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- Applicants
- 8,116
- Admitted
- 2,784
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Kenyon College is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 18% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 18%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 11%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 10%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 2.0%
- vs 31.0% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 1 Early Decision applicants, 2 were admitted — a 2.0% admit rate, roughly 6.4× the 31.0% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 0% of the entering class (2 of 439 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 21% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kenyon College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kenyon College is $71,520, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $38,512. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,242 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,527 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $71,520
- Out-of-State
- $71,520
- Avg Net Price
- $38,512
- Median Debt
- $18,527
- Pell Grant Rate
- 10%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 21%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,242
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $26,319
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,156
- Family Income $110K+
- $51,432
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Kenyon College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Kenyon College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kenyon College earn a median of $71,830, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,627
- 8 Years
- $52,468
- 10 Years
- $71,830
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (383)
- 86%
- 100% (383)
- 86%
- 100% (383)
- 86%
- 100% (383)
- 86%
How Kenyon Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Kenyon College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Kenyon College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $38,512/year ($154,048 total). Graduates earn $71,830 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,761,363 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,607,315 (17.9× your investment). The median debt is $18,527, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 84% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $154,048
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,761,363
- Net Return
- $2,607,315
- ROI Multiple
- 17.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $38,512
- Median Debt
- $18,527
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 84%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Kenyon College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kenyon College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.64%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $168,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.64%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 30.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $228,797
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Kenyon College produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 10 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.60%
- Top 38% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 10
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 17
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,643,274
- Investment Income
- $-26,180,646
Top Programs
The fields Kenyon College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Social Sciences 19% $60,427 early-career
- English & Literature 16% $27,870 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $33,335 early-career
- Psychology 10% $29,935 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 9% $41,658 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 5%
- Physical Sciences 5%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Kenyon College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kenyon College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 31%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,429. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kenyon College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kenyon College is $71,520, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $38,512. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,242 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,527 in federal student loans.
Is Kenyon College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kenyon College earn a median of $71,830, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Kenyon College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kenyon College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.64%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $168,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Kenyon College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kenyon College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.83, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Kenyon College offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Kenyon College offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 2%, about 6.4 times the overall 31% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 0% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Kenyon College is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Kenyon College really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 21% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Kenyon College (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Kenyon College?
About 18% of admitted students choose to enroll at Kenyon College — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kenyon College.
- Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster, PA · Close peer85% grad $76,124 earn 28% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg, PA · Close peer83% grad $71,517 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Connecticut CollegeNew London, CT · Close peer83% grad $75,001 earn 37% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL · Close peer78% grad $70,871 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Whitman CollegeWalla Walla, WA · Close peer81% grad $67,589 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bates CollegeLewiston, ME · Close peer90% grad $69,498 earn 13% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Kenyon College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kenyon College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.83, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note