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. 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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Kenyon College typically score between 1360-1500 on the SAT, with the middle 50% falling in this range. The SAT median reaches 1440, with math scores ranging from 670-750 and verbal scores from 690-750. ACT scores span from 31-34, with a median of 33. These test score ranges place Kenyon among institutions with the most academically prepared student bodies nationally, significantly above the peer median SAT of 1140 and ACT of 23. The 300-point SAT advantage over peer institutions indicates that Kenyon attracts students with exceptional academic preparation. Students should understand that the 25th percentile represents enrolled students, not minimum requirements—some admitted students score below 1360 on the SAT, but fewer are offered admission with scores significantly below this range. Conversely, the 75th percentile of 1500 indicates that even students with near-perfect test scores are not guaranteed admission, as Kenyon evaluates applications holistically. Students whose test scores fall within or above the 1360-1500 range should consider themselves academically competitive for admission, while those scoring below 1300 may face greater challenges in the admissions process.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Kenyon College enrolls 10.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 10 students comes from lower-income families. First-generation students comprise a small share of the student body, though specific data is not available. Transfer students represent just 3.2% of enrollment, reflecting limited transfer admission opportunities. The low Pell share indicates that Kenyon primarily serves students from middle- to upper-income backgrounds, which is typical among selective private liberal arts colleges but represents a more economically homogeneous student body than found at public institutions or less selective private colleges. This composition suggests that students from lower-income backgrounds, while welcome, may find themselves in the minority on campus. The minimal transfer enrollment indicates that Kenyon prioritizes traditional four-year students over those seeking to transfer from community colleges or other institutions. Students from lower-income families should consider the 10.1% Pell share when assessing whether they will find peers with similar economic backgrounds on campus.
Given Kenyon's 30.7% acceptance rate and highly competitive test score ranges, most applicants should consider backup options. The alternatives below offer comparable outcomes with different admission profiles.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
91.3% of Kenyon College freshmen return for sophomore year, and 86.8% graduate within six years. Both figures exceed the peer median retention rate of 74.0% and completion rate of 54.9%, indicating strong institutional support for degree completion. The high retention and graduation rates suggest that students who enroll at Kenyon typically persist through graduation, with institutional systems effectively supporting academic progress. These outcomes reflect both the academic preparation of entering students and the effectiveness of Kenyon's small-college environment in maintaining student engagement. Data on Pell student graduation rates is not available, making it difficult to assess whether lower-income students face different completion challenges. Students who gain admission to Kenyon can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with graduation rates among the highest in higher education. The combination of high retention and completion rates indicates that the academic and social environment supports student success across different backgrounds, though the overall student body remains economically homogeneous.
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Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
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