Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Gambier, Ohio
30.7% Acceptance Rate
Kenyon College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
30.7%Acceptance Rate
3.84Avg GPA
1440Avg SAT
33Avg ACT
$83,800Annual Cost
$71,830Grad Salary
10.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
30.7%
Avg GPA
3.84
Avg SAT
1440
Avg ACT
33
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1360–1500
ACT Middle 50%
31–34
Need-Based Aid
10.1% receive Pell
Kenyon College is a prestigious, private liberal arts college in Ohio known for its exceptional academic rigor, distinguished faculty, and commitment to the humanities. With a beautiful campus and a strong emphasis on writing, critical thinking, and student-faculty collaboration, the college provides a formative and highly selective educational experience. Its historic tradition of academic excellence and supportive intellectual community make it a top-tier choice for students seeking a rigorous and transformative liberal arts education.
Kenyon College Acceptance Rate
Kenyon College is selective but reasonable: about 30.7% of applicants (31 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What Kenyon College Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 30.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.84 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.64 – 3.83
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.39
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Kenyon College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Kenyon College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 112 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 20
💡 The scholarship deadline (Financial Aid Priority: 2025/11/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Kenyon College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Kenyon College is 3.84. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.54 and 3.84, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.04–4.24.Kenyon College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.84 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.64 – 3.83
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.44 – 3.63
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.43
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Kenyon operates two separate, binding admissions tracks-Early Decision I (November 15) and Early Decision II (January 15)-which require a signed agreement confirming the college is your unequivocal first choice.
- The university requires a secondary school counselor report alongside two teacher recommendations specifically from core academic subjects, utilizing them to gauge your daily seminar-style collaboration skills.
- Admitted students are automatically considered for generous institutional merit scholarships, which are determined dynamically based on the academic index calculated upon initial document verification.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Kenyon College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Kenyon College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Kenyon College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Kenyon College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Kenyon College Without SAT or ACT?
Kenyon College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Kenyon College Average SAT Score: 1440
The average SAT score of admitted students at Kenyon College is 1440 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1440 — Very Competitive
A 1440 average puts Kenyon College well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1500 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Kenyon College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1360, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Kenyon College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 710 | 670 | 750 |
| SAT Reading | 720 | 690 | 750 |
| SAT Composite | 1440 | 1360 | 1500 |
Below 1360, you're behind most admitted students; at 1500 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Kenyon College with a 1500 SAT?
A 1500 SAT puts you ahead of most of Kenyon College's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Kenyon College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Kenyon College is 33.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 33 — Very Competitive
An average of 33 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 27 | 31 |
| ACT English | 34 | 33 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 31 | 34 |
Can I get into Kenyon College with a 34 ACT?
A 34 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Kenyon College's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Kenyon College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Kenyon College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Kenyon College, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant — that's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Master the Art of the Narrative Voice to Clear Kenyon?s Writing-Centric Selection Filter
Kenyon College possesses a legendary institutional identity as "the writer's college," and its admissions committee evaluates applications with an intense focus on textual sophistication. To clear the initial qualitative screen, your primary personal statement and Kenyon-specific supplements cannot simply list achievements; they must showcase a distinct, authentic voice and exceptional command of prose. Admissions readers look for an appetite for deep seminar discussions and intellectual vulnerability. If your essays read like sterile, AI-generated, or heavily packaged templates, the committee will promptly pass over your file, regardless of how high your unweighted GPA or class rank stands within your local high school context.
Exhaust Curricular Rigor Across Core Disciplines to Satisfy the Uncompromising Academic Index
While Kenyon operates a deeply holistic review process, the baseline for competitive consideration is anchored in absolute curricular depth. To secure high marks in Kenyon?s internal academic index, you must pursue the absolute upper limits of your high school's available curriculum, including accelerated, AP, IB, or dual-enrollment coursework. The committee expects to see four full years of study in core academic disciplines: English, mathematics (advancing through calculus), lab sciences, social studies, and foreign languages. Lightening your senior year schedule or experiencing a mid-year grade drop will drop your file below their highly selective admissions threshold.
Deploy the Test-Optional Track Wisely Against Elite National Mid-50% Benchmarks
Kenyon maintains a competitive test-optional policy, allowing domestic applicants to decide whether standardized test results accurately reflect their scholarly potential. However, because the historical mid-50% bands for enrolled score-submitters sit at an elite 1400-1510 on the SAT and 32-34 on the ACT, test submission acts as a powerful strategic lever. If your self-reported scores fall comfortably within or above these top-tier percentiles, submitting them provides a strong data point that reinforces your transcript?s validity. If your metrics sit below these targets, you should confidently withhold them; the evaluation engine will seamlessly reallocate evaluation weight to your teacher recommendations and curriculum rigor.
Secure a Personal Interview Early to Drive Your Regional Committee Advocacy Narrative
While formal interviews are not strictly mandatory, Kenyon places immense value on personal interactions within its selection matrix. Scheduling an interview with an admissions staff member, a senior fellow, or a regional alumnae representative before the mid-winter deadline provides crucial qualitative context to your file. This conversation is designed to evaluate your interpersonal maturity and institutional alignment with Kenyon?s highly residential, rural Ohio campus culture. A highly rated interview write-up allows your assigned regional admissions officer to advocate effectively for you during final selection rounds.
Expert Insight: Writing a Kenyon supplement that lists general campus landmarks or generic study abroad opportunities without weaving in a deeply reflective personal journey is a fatal error-because the selection committee reads every line to build an intimate, collaborative freshman cohort, uninspired or superficial narratives will result in a prompt rejection from the pool.
Kenyon College Profile
Full Name
Kenyon College
City
Gambier
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
43022
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Kenyon College Degree Worth It?
At $83,800/year against a $71,830 median graduate salary, Kenyon College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $78,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.09%.
How much does a degree from Kenyon College Cost?
The sticker price is $83,800/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
10.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 23.8% take federal loans at Kenyon College — file your FAFSA early and list Kenyon College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Kenyon College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $71,830 — about 77% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Kenyon College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Kenyon College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Kenyon College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Kenyon College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Kenyon College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Kenyon College run about $71,830 a year.
At about $83,800 a year, Kenyon College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Kenyon College's Pell Grant rate of 10.1% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 30.7%, Kenyon College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Kenyon College average a 3.84 GPA.
Kenyon College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.54 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.44, Kenyon College becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Kenyon College — aim above 1440, ideally within the 1360–1500 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Kenyon College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Financial Aid Priority: 2025/11/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.