to provide education and opportunity to those with limited financial resources. In 1968, Berea further refined its focus by closing its Foundation School to concentrate fully on undergraduate education.

National Recognition

Berea College continues to earn national praise for its impact and innovation. It was ranked the No. 1 liberal arts college in the nation by Washington Monthly in 2024 for its contributions to the public good.

In the 2025 rankings by U. S. News & World Report, Berea is recognized as“ more selective” and ranks among the top liberal

arts colleges in several categories, including:

No. 1 in Service Learning No. 2 in Most Innovative

Schools

Tied for No. 9 in Best Undergraduate Teaching

No. 5 in Top Performers in Social Mobility

Additionally, Kiplinger’ s

Personal Finance has highlighted Berea as one of the best values in liberal arts education.

A Commitment That Changes Lives

At its core, Berea College is driven by a simple but powerful idea: that a student’ s potential— not their financial circumstances— should define their future. By combining rigorous academics, meaningful work experience and a strong sense of purpose, Berea continues to transform lives and strengthen communities, both locally and around the world.