Berea College is a private liberal arts work college . Founded in 1855 , it was the first college in the Southern U . S . to welcome all genders and races . It maintained integration from 1866 until 1904 , and then again after 1954 .

The college participates in federal work-study and work college programs . These programs pay the rest of the tuition . They do this after taking away any Pell Grants , grants , or scholarships the student receives . Berea welcomes students from more than 40 states and 70 countries .

Berea offers bachelor ’ s degrees in 33 majors . Students must take part in

a work-study program . They need to commit to at least 10 hours of work each week .

Berea College wants all students to enjoy a liberal arts education . So , it offers funding for studying abroad . Berea students can also win the Thomas J . Watson Fellowship . This fellowship provides money for a year of study abroad after graduation .

Berea College was founded in 1855 by abolitionist John Gregg Fee ( 1816 – 1901 ). It welcomed both Black and white students . The first college students started in 1869 . The first bachelor ’ s degrees were given out in 1873 .

Before 1968 , Berea offered

pre-college education in addition to its college curriculum . That year , the Foundation School closed its elementary and secondary schools . It wanted to focus on undergraduate education .

In 2024 , Washington Monthly ranked Berea College as the top national liberal arts college in the U . S . This ranking highlights its strong impact on the public good . In the 2025 U . S . News & World Report rankings , Berea is labeled as ‘ more selective .’ It ranks 40th overall and excels in many areas . It is first in “ Service Learning ,” second in “ Most Innovative Schools ,” tied for ninth in “ Best Undergraduate Teaching ,” and fifth in “ Top

Performers in Social Mobility ” among liberal arts colleges . Kiplinger ’ s Personal Finance ranked Berea 35th in 2019 . This was out of 149 top-value liberal arts colleges in the U . S .

Berea College offers fulltuition scholarships to all students . Many also get help with room and board . Berea College does not charge tuition beyond what students receive from Pell Grants and other grants or scholarships . Every student admitted to Berea College receives a full four-year tuition scholarship . This includes any leftover tuition fees . It subtracts grants and scholarships already awarded to the student .

26 Community Guide 2025