Kenyon College

Private · Selective · OH

Photo: Mx. Granger (CC0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationOH · Midwest

SettingRural

Undergrads1,732

Student:faculty9:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate66%

6-yr grad rate82.3%

Drop-out rate8.4%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$72k

Out-of-state tuition$72k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity34.3%

Gender diversity56.4%

International12.2%

Identity—

Overview

Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college on a hilltop in the village of Gambier, Ohio, the state's oldest private college. Its collegiate Gothic campus and tight-knit rural community give it a strongly literary, artistic character that shapes student life as much as the classroom does, and the campus's near-total isolation from any larger town is treated as a feature of the place rather than a drawback.

Academics

Kenyon is widely respected for English and creative writing, publishing the storied Kenyon Review literary magazine founded by poet and critic John Crowe Ransom, and its writing culture extends across the humanities more broadly rather than sitting in one department alone. Class sizes are small and discussion-based, with close faculty relationships typical of the strongest liberal arts colleges, and a strong tradition of student-faculty mentorship runs through both the writing programs and the sciences.

Campus & student life

The rural, isolated village setting means campus life is genuinely self-contained, fostering a close community where literary and artistic pursuits are central to social life, not just academics. Middle Path, the gravel walkway running the length of campus, is the social spine of the place — everyone passes through it daily — and Peirce Hall's grand Gothic dining hall functions as much as a gathering space as a place to eat. Kenyon's swimming and diving program has an extraordinary championship history that's a genuine point of campus pride.

Getting in

Admissions is holistic and rewards strong writing and intellectual curiosity; applicants who show genuine engagement with reading and writing, rather than treating the English department's reputation as a talking point, tend to stand out given the school's literary identity. Essays are read closely here, consistent with a school that cares this much about writing.

After graduation

Kenyon has an outsized reputation for producing writers, editors, and people in publishing, journalism, and the arts relative to its size, alongside strong placement into graduate study in the humanities. Its alumni network in publishing and media is a real, usable resource for students heading in that direction.

Worth knowing

The rural, isolated setting is a defining feature — students who want an urban backdrop should weigh this carefully, since Kenyon's identity depends on its self-contained village community. The swimming program's championship dynasty and the campus's literary culture are both worth knowing about as genuine, longstanding parts of the school's identity rather than marketing points.

kenyon.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate31%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1358–1503 · ACT 31–33

Test policyoptional

Rec letters2

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Early decisionNov 15

Regular decisionJan 15

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying (2026-27 cycle)

Apply through Common App or Coalition (Scoir).

Early decision IIJan 15

Early Decision I and II are binding, so admitted students must withdraw applications from other colleges and enroll at Kenyon.

Interviews: Interviews are recommended but not required, and are a way for the admissions office to get to know you better (international students may submit a recorded interview via InitialView or Vericant).

Verified from the school’s admissions pages ↗