Kenyon College delivers strong career outcomes through selective admissions and intensive liberal arts preparation. The institution generates $4,335 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer medians, though premium pricing creates affordability challenges for many families.
With top-tier performance, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, indicating cost challenges relative to outcomes
With above average performance, reflecting moderate outcomes despite limited access
With above average performance, reflecting moderate outcomes despite limited access
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisKenyon College combines selective admissions with strong long-term earnings outcomes for graduates. Students earn a median of $71,830 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 87th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $40,485 at the 25th percentile to $104,986 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths following liberal arts preparation. The institution generates $4,335 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 71.7th percentile nationally on this measure.
Students seeking a selective liberal arts education with strong English and writing programs. Well-suited for academically prepared students who value small class sizes and close faculty relationships, though prospective students should expect limited economic diversity and higher costs relative to outcomes.
Kenyon College admits approximately 30.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 3 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Kenyon in the "Selective (25-50%)" admissions tier among four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the significant difference between Kenyon's selectivity and typical four-year colleges, with Kenyon admitting 44.9 percentage points fewer applicants than its peer average. This level of selectivity means that students need strong academic credentials to gain admission, though the acceptance rate is more accessible than the most competitive liberal arts colleges that admit fewer than 20% of applicants.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Kenyon College's published cost of attendance reaches $83,800 per year—that's $69,330 in tuition, $14,410 for room and board, and $1,900 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $29,383 after financial aid, representing savings of $54,417 through institutional grants and federal aid.
This net price sits $7,571 above the peer median of $21,812, indicating that Kenyon costs significantly more than typical four-year institutions even after financial aid. The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates substantial financial aid, though the college operates at premium pricing relative to peer institutions.
Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $8,865 for families earning under $30,000 to $45,073 for those earning over $110,000 annually. This $36,208 spread between lowest and highest income tiers reflects Kenyon's need-based financial aid strategy, which provides significant support to lower-income families while expecting higher-income families to pay closer to full cost.
For middle-income families earning $48,000-$75,000, the net price averages $13,777, which remains substantial relative to family earnings capacity.
Applied Economics.
38 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
57 graduates
English Language and Literature, General.
82 graduates
Psychology, General.
39 graduates
Cinematography and Film/Video Production.
8 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ohio Northern University Higher acceptance rate (42.6 percentage points higher) and located 80 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 73% | $80,928 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Kenyon College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/kenyon-college/analysis.
Selective liberal arts college with strong English programs
Kenyon College ranks #500 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with composite performance at the 69.3rd percentile. Located in Gambier, Ohio, this small private liberal arts college maintains selective admission standards with a 30.7% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
Kenyon enrolls 10.1% Pell-eligible students and 3.2% transfer students, reflecting limited access for low-income students relative to peer institutions. Admitted students typically score 1360-1500 on the SAT, ranking among the highest we track nationally.
Graduates earn a median of $71,830 ten years after enrollment, placing Kenyon in the 87th percentile for long-term earnings. The institution generates $4,335 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 71.7th percentile on this measure.
Compared to a peer median of $50,412, graduates earn $21,418 more annually, demonstrating strong career preparation despite the college's focus on liberal arts disciplines.
Students considering Kenyon should understand that even well-qualified applicants may face rejection due to the volume of applications relative to available spaces. Building a balanced college list with schools across different selectivity levels represents sound application strategy for students interested in this type of small, residential liberal arts experience.
The sections below provide guidance on academic preparation and alternative schools that offer similar outcomes with different admission profiles.
Kenyon College graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $46,627 six years after enrollment to $52,468 at eight years and $71,830 at ten years, representing 54.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 192 graduates at six years, 173 at eight years, and 231 at ten years, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $4,335 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Kenyon in the 71.7th percentile for earnings uplift.
Earnings span from $40,485 at the 25th percentile to $104,986 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the 2.6:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. This spread indicates meaningful variation in post-graduation career paths, typical for liberal arts institutions where graduates pursue diverse fields from nonprofit work to business and professional services.
Approximately 17.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, though this estimate carries low confidence given the program mix methodology. The earnings trajectory shows consistent growth as graduates advance in their careers and leverage their liberal arts preparation.
Kenyon College offers 6 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. English Language and Literature ranks #13 nationally and #1 in Ohio, producing 82 graduates with median earnings of $42,331 and an exceptional value score of 95.9, making it the flagship program at the institution.
Applied Economics ranks #90 nationally and #2 in Ohio, graduating 38 students with the highest median earnings of $75,347 and a value score of 55.9. American Government and Politics ranks #186 nationally and #3 in Ohio, graduating 57 students with median earnings of $43,685 and a value score of 37.1.
Psychology ranks #202 nationally and #2 in Ohio, with 39 graduates earning $42,073 annually. Art History ranks #203 nationally and #2 in Ohio, graduating 28 students with earnings of $25,967.
The English program stands out as both the largest by enrollment share (30.6%) and the highest-ranked nationally, reflecting Kenyon's particular strength in literary studies and writing preparation.
John Carroll University Higher acceptance rate (50.4 percentage points higher) and located 89 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 81% | $62,860 | Compare |
Aultman College Of Nursing And Health Sciences Higher acceptance rate (10.6 percentage points higher) and located 60 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 41% | $63,582 | Compare |
Wabash College Higher acceptance rate (32.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | IN | 63% | $69,952 | Compare |
Depauw University Higher acceptance rate (23.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | IN | 54% | $70,527 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elmhurst University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#500 ranked) | IL | 76% | $61,462 | #500 | Compare |
Bucknell University Similar quality tier (#501 ranked) | PA | 32% | $93,807 | #501 | Compare |
Houston Christian University Similar quality tier (#495 ranked) | TX | 85% | $55,933 | #495 | Compare |
Franklin And Marshall College Similar quality tier (#508 ranked) | PA | 32% | $76,124 | #508 | Compare |
Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier in Midwest (#485 ranked) | IN | 73% | $101,253 | #485 | Compare |
