Simmons College of Kentucky — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Simmons College of Kentucky, established in 1879 in Louisville, is a private HBCU and the oldest Black theological college west of the Mississippi River. Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA, Simmons offers degrees in theology, business, and social work. The college's urban campus is a hub for African American history and community leadership.
Simmons emphasizes social justice and ministerial training, with partnerships like the Louisville Urban League. Its small size fosters mentorship, and the college is recognized for revitalizing Louisville's West End through education and outreach.
Simmons College of Kentucky Acceptance Rate
Simmons College of Kentucky (Simmons Bible College) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 98.2% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Simmons College of Kentucky Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Simmons College of Kentucky follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Simmons Bible College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Simmons Bible College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Simmons College of Kentucky's verified institutional data
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Simmons College of Kentucky (Simmons Bible College) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Simmons Bible College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Simmons Bible College Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Simmons Bible College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Simmons Bible College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Simmons holds accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a specialized faith-based accreditor, rather than a regional accreditor. A student planning to eventually transfer to a mainstream secular university or pursue a non-ministry graduate program should confirm directly with the receiving institution how Simmons/ABHE-accredited credits will transfer, since this differs meaningfully from regional accreditation recognition and isn't automatic.
Simmons is Kentucky's only private HBCU and reacquired its original 1879 campus at 7th and Kentucky Streets in 2007, after 77 years of displacement - part of a widely cited institutional turnaround under President Kevin W. Cosby since 2005. A student drawn to HBCU history and legacy should engage with this specific narrative directly in their interest statement, since it's central to the college's current mission and identity, not generic HBCU messaging.
Simmons has a specific partnership with the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship International to train its ministers and leaders. A student pursuing ministry or religious leadership with FGBFI-affiliated church connections should mention this explicitly in their application, since it signals genuine denominational alignment with a named partner organization rather than general faith-based interest.
Simmons reports an overall completion rate of approximately 16.8% and roughly 51% retention. A prospective student should ask directly what structured academic support exists - tutoring, advising frequency, given the reported 8:1 student-faculty ratio - before enrolling, and treat this as a genuine, current data point to discuss openly rather than something to overlook given the otherwise compelling mission and history.
Because Simmons holds specialized (ABHE) accreditation rather than regional accreditation, a family should directly confirm with any future transfer institution or graduate program how Simmons credits and degrees will be recognized, rather than assuming automatic equivalency with a regionally accredited degree.
Simmons Bible College Profile
Is a Simmons Bible College Degree Worth It?
Whether Simmons Bible College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
How much does a degree from Simmons Bible College Cost?
The sticker price is $25,981/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
43% of students receive a Pell Grant and 32.1% take federal loans at Simmons Bible College. File your FAFSA early and list Simmons Bible College as a choice to be considered for both.
Degree Programs at Simmons Bible College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Simmons Bible College Admissions
At about $25,981 a year, Simmons College of Kentucky is on the more affordable end.
About 43.0% receive a Pell Grant at Simmons College of Kentucky. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 98.2%, Simmons College of Kentucky's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Simmons College of Kentucky follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 25. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
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.
