The Heart of Town
Berea College
One of America's most distinctive colleges — tuition-free, work-based, and inseparable from the town that shares its name.
No Tuition — Ever
Every admitted student receives the Tuition Promise Scholarship covering 100% of tuition. Berea has charged no tuition since 1892, funding education through its endowment and donors.
The Labor Program
All students work at least 10 hours a week in campus jobs — from the farm and forest to Student Craft studios and the Boone Tavern Hotel — earning money for living expenses while learning practical skills.
A Historic First
Founded in 1855 by abolitionist John G. Fee, Berea was the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, built on the motto 'God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth.'
Serving Appalachia
Berea primarily admits academically promising students with limited financial means, with a special commitment to Appalachia. Around 1,600 students attend from across the U.S. and dozens of countries.
Visiting the Campus
The campus sits right on College Square, woven into downtown Berea. Visitors can stay at the college-owned Boone Tavern Hotel (operating since 1909 and partly staffed by students), browse student-made crafts at the Log House Craft Gallery, and hike the college's 9,000-acre forest at the Pinnacles — all open to the public.
The college also hosts public concerts, lectures, and the long-running Celebration of Traditional Music. See what's coming up on our events page, or read the full story on our history page.