Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Association for Biblical Higher Education
Louisville, Kentucky
98.2% Acceptance Rate
Simmons College of Kentucky — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.2%Acceptance Rate
$25,981Annual Cost
43%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.2%
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Association for Biblical Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
43% receive Pell
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) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 98.2%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 98.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
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
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
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
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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
⚠️ 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
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Simmons Bible College Without SAT or ACT?
Simmons College of Kentucky does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Simmons Bible College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Simmons Bible College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Confirm Credit Transferability Given ABHE (Not Regional) Accreditation
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.
Lead With the "Return Home" Institutional Story in Application Materials
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.
Name the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship International Connection If Relevant
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.
Ask Directly About Academic Support Given the Current Completion Rate
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.
Expert Insight:
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
Full Name
Simmons College of Kentucky (Simmons Bible College)
City
Louisville
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
40203-3322
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Is a Simmons Bible College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Simmons Bible College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Simmons Bible College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
How much does a degree from Simmons Bible College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Simmons College of Kentucky is $25,981. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Simmons College of Kentucky is much less than this.
43% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 32.1 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Simmons Bible College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Simmons College of Kentucky, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Simmons Bible College as your choice in the form.
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
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $25,981 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
43.0% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Simmons College of Kentucky is 98.2% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The application fee for Simmons College of Kentucky is 25. Fee waivers may be available for eligible students.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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