Ohio's oldest private college, a selective liberal arts institution with a 1,000-acre rural campus and strong traditions.
Kenyon is a four-year liberal arts college offering over 50 majors, minors, and concentrations across 18 academic departments and 14 interdisciplinary programs. All courses are taught by professors (not teaching assistants), with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 99% of faculty holding a Ph.D. or terminal degree. The curriculum requires study across four academic divisions—fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences—plus a foreign language. Students benefit from summer research opportunities and over 190 study-abroad programs in 50 countries.
The college occupies a 1,000-acre rural campus in Gambier, Ohio, featuring seven distinct ecosystems and a 700-acre nature preserve. Over 120 student clubs and organizations provide engagement opportunities. The campus is entirely residential, with traditions dating back nearly 200 years, including the Matriculation Oath, First-Year Sing, and the iconic Middle Path. Notable facilities include the Gund Gallery (31,000 sq ft visual arts center opened 2011), Lowry Center (263,000 sq ft athletics facility), and Chalmers Library.
Admission is considered "most selective" by U.S. News & World Report. For the class of 2022, Kenyon received 6,152 applications, accepted 2,204 (35.8%), and enrolled 539. The middle 50% SAT range was 640–730 (critical reading) and 640–740 (math); ACT composite 29–33; average GPA 3.94. The college offers specialty tours in athletics, arts, STEM, and writing, plus summer visit days and weekend overnight programs.
90% of 2025 graduates were employed, continuing education, or committed to other plans within six months. 93% of students applying to graduate school attend one of their top three choices. Pre-health students achieve medical school acceptance rates at double the national average. The college provides $800K annually in funding for summer research and internships, with dedicated career advisors in health, engineering, business, law, and other professions. Notable alumni include U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, Supreme Court Justices David Davis and William Rehnquist, actor Paul Newman, and author Laura Hillenbrand.