With the largest contiguous campus in the world, Berry College is known nationally for its premier Work Experience Program where students compete for jobs of increasing responsibility. Every office and program on campus employs students, truly creating one living-learning community.
Student Profile
Fall 2015 Enrollment
2,123 undergraduate students
98% of undergrad students are full time
38% male — 62% female
37% of students are from out of state
Faculty Profile
2015-2016 Academic Year
174 full-time faculty
35 part-time faculty
12 to 1 student/faculty ratio
Residence Life
86 percent of the students live on campus
School Location
Rome, Georgia
Retention Fall 2015
83% of students began in Fall 2014 and returned in Fall 2015 (full-time, first-time freshmen)
6-Year Graduation Rate 2015
64% of students graduated in 6 years
ENROLLMENT BY RACIAL/ETHNIC CATEGORY - FALL 2015
| Nonresident aliens | 1% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 6% |
| Black or African American | 5% |
| White | 81% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% |
| Asian | 1% |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 0% |
| Two or more races | 3% |
| Race and/or ethnicity unknown | 2% |
Athletics
Berry is a member of the Southern Athletic Association, Division III of the NCAA. Berry fields competitive teams in 21 intercollegiate sports including football, men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, tennis, cross country, outdoor track, lacrosse, swimming and diving and golf, as well as men’s baseball and women’s volleyball, softball and equestrian.
Academic Programs
Accounting, Animal Science – Pre-Vet, Animal Science – Production/Mgt, Anthropology, Art – Art Education, Art – Art History, Art – Studio Art, Biochemistry, Biology, Business Administration (M.B.A.), Chemistry, Creative Technologies, Creative Writing, Early Childhood Education – Education, Economics, Education, Engineering, English, Environmental Science, Exercise Science, Finance, French, German, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, International Business, International Studies, Journalism – Communication, Management, Marketing, Mathematics – Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Middle Grades Education – Education, Music – Music Business, Music – Music Education, Music – Music Performance, Nursing, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Pre- Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Dentistry, Psychology, Public Relations – Communication, Religion, Secondary Education, Sociology, Spanish, Sports Communication, Studio Art, Teacher Education – Education, Theatre, Visual Communication – Communication
Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR)
SOAR is a two-part introductory program for all incoming freshmen and transfer students. The goal of SOAR is to successfully transition students into college life. The first portion of the program, SOAR, takes place the June before fall semester. The second part, or Viking Venture, takes place in August.
- There are a number of activities that take place during orientation, and all are designed to answer students’ and parents’ questions. During SOAR, students meet with academic advisors, meet new students, receive housing information, and much more.
- Students return to campus in August to take part in Viking Venture, an extension of orientation. At Viking Venture, students get to know their peers and learn about academic and campus resources.
Honors Program
Berry’s Honors Program is a community of self-motivated, academically-inclined students. In order to participate, students must be accepted into the program. Selection is based on past academic achievements and a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. The Honors program is structured like seminar courses, in which the class sizes are much smaller. This learning environment encourages critical thinking and communication among peers and faculty. In order to graduate with an honors degree, participants must complete five honors courses and a thesis.
The Honors program offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. Students enrolled in the program have access to academic and service leadership roles, which can serve as great practice for aspiring leaders. Honors students also have the chance to act as mentors to incoming honors students. Mentors are chosen during the spring semester, and only a select few are asked to join. Students enrolled in the program may also be selected to participate in the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference. Those students chosen to participate are given the chance to share their research, join a discussion panel, and meet other honors students from across the nation.
Honors at Glasgow
Berry College has established a relationship with the University of Glasgow in Scotland, allowing honors students to participate in a customized abroad experience. The program allows Berry students to take advanced and accelerated courses, an opportunity not often given to international students. Interested students must be enrolled in the honors program and be of either sophomore or junior status.
Study Abroad
Study abroad is one of the best experiences of an undergraduate education. Not only do students have the opportunity to learn about another culture, but participants often gain skills in cross-cultural communication, tolerance, language proficiency, and independence. Berry offers several different global education programs that range in length and destination. Students can choose to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or even a whole academic year.
Emerging Leaders Program
The Emerging Leaders Program identifies freshman with promising leadership potential. The select group of students are given opportunities to develop their leadership skills in and around the campus. Participation in the program is highly beneficial, as students are given the chance to network with upperclassmen leaders and faculty. Students enrolled in the program take part in an overnight retreat, followed by bi-monthly meetings that explore different topics. After the spring semester, participants become alumni of the program and continue to act as leaders on campus.
Berry College Short-Term International Program (SIP)
The short-term international programs, or SIPs, are led by Berry faculty. Study abroad in itself is a dynamic and beneficial experience that pushes students out of their comfort zones. Oftentimes, abroad experiences serve as developmental periods, in which students learn a great deal about themselves and their position in the world. SIPs offer the added component of Berry instruction. Students get to learn from Berry faculty as they navigate their new surroundings, preserving Berry’s educational mission all over the world. Below are the 2016 SIPs:
- Coral Reef Ecology—Honduras
- Culture and Environment in Belize
- Culture, Literature, and Politics of Peru
- European Council—Paris
- Exploration in Diverse Culture—Costa Rica
- Exploration in Diverse Culture—Ecuador
- Exploration in Diverse Culture—South Korea
- Exploration of Iceland’s Geology and its People
- International Multimedia Reporting Practicum—Vienna, Austria
- Jamaica Business Tour
- Partners in Progress—Costa Rica
- Identity, Nationalism, and the Anglo-Irish Conflict in England and Ireland
Community-Based Learning
Berry’s commitment to service extends beyond volunteerism and into learning. Faculty are increasingly finding ways to connect their studies to the needs of the community. Community-based learning involves two components: academics and service. Often, these courses are an equal balance of discussion/reflection and hands-on experience. Service learning is an incredible opportunity to put academic theory into practice, while making a positive change in the community. Berry currently offers several different courses, across multiple disciplines. Below are a few of the courses available:
- Anthropology of Food
- Public Relations Writing
- Social Science Research Methods
Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum
Students and community members are invited to visit Oak Hill & the Martha Berry Museum, one of Berry College’s main attractions. The home stands as both a historical residence, as well as a museum. The museum honors the rich history of the college through exhibitions and educational programming. Guided tours are offered and are led by Berry students.
Community Service
Community service is an integral part of the undergraduate experience. Service allows students to assume roles of responsibility and humility, which make for active and engaged citizens. Berry’s office of Volunteer Services, a student-led initiative, connects students and faculty with volunteer opportunities in and around the campus community. Some of the service projects include:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Boys and Girls Club West Rome and YMCA of Rome
- Youth for Christ
- Cancer Navigators
- South Rome Community Gardens
Living Learning Communities
A living learning community (LLC) integrates academics into residence life. There are many benefits to participation, including a greater sense of community and academic support. Currently, Berry offers three different LLC options. Each residence is set up in cottage-style housing.
- The Year of Service LLC: Members of this community are committed to service. Throughout the year, students participate in different service opportunities in and around the campus.
- The Language House: Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to develop their language skills among dedicated peers and faculty.
- The Cultural House: Members of this community explore topics like diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Career Center
Berry considers career advising to be very important, and thus takes a four-year approach to the process. Advisors get to know students as freshman. They learn about each student’s talents and career goals. Over the course of the next four years, advisors helps students narrow down their career options, as well as make tough academic decisions. Berry’s Career Center offers services in:
Workshops/Seminars
Career Advising
Mock Interviews
Employer Relations
Self-Assessment
Internships
Alumni Career Network
Graduate School Resources
Job Search and Networking
International Internship
In addition to the many abroad opportunities available at Berry, students may also choose to pursue an international internship. In partnership with outside providers, Berry students can select a program that aligns with their career and personal goals. There are opportunities available in science, engineering, and service–to name a few.
Academic Internship
Berry offers students the opportunity to complete an internship for credit. Students that choose to pursue an academic internship must demonstrate clear goals, as well as a commitment to reflection of their work experience. Interested students must have 60 completed credit hours, a minimum GPA of 2.6, and a signed Internship Learning Agreement.
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Fall 2015
4,347 Total Applicants
2,407 Total Admissions
575 Total Freshman Enrollment
Selectivity
55.37% of applicants admitted
Freshman Profile Fall 2015
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |
| SAT Critical Reading | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Math | 520 | 610 |
| SAT Writing | 510 | 610 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 29 |
| ACT Math | 23 | 27 |
| ACT English | 24 | 31 |
| ACT Writing |
TUITION AND COSTS
net price calculator
TUITION AND COSTS BEFORE FINANCIAL AID 2015-2016
| Expenses | |
| Tuition | $31,770 |
| Fees | $226 |
| Total | $31,996 |
| Room and Board (on campus) | $11,190 |
| Room Only | $6,320 |
| Board Only | $4,870 |
| Estimated Total On Campus | $43,186 |
FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid Breakdown 2014-2015
100% of full-time, first-time undergraduates awarded any financial aid
58% of full-time, first-time undergraduates awarded student loan aid
$20,553 Average amount of federal, state, local, or institutional grant aid awarded
$7,588 Average amount of student loan aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates