Bennett College Admissions

Bennett College has test-optional admissions—students interested in applying are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. With an acceptance rate of 98%, Bennett is not very selective, and students with good grades in college preparatory classes will have a very good chance of being admitted. Students must submit an application, high school transcripts, an application fee, and two letters of recommendation (from teachers or a guidance counselor). There is an essay requirement, and applicants must write a ~500 word personal statement as part of the application. Interested students are encouraged to visit the campus for a tour to see if Bennett would be a good fit for them. If you have any questions about applying, be sure to get in touch with a member of the admissions office.

Bennett College is a private, four-year, historically Black liberal arts college for women. The school recently started accepting male students as well, although women still make up 99% of enrolled students. Bennett is located on 55 acres in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it is affiliated with the Women’s College Coalition, the College Fund (UNCF), and the United Methodist Church. It supports just under 800 students with a student / faculty ratio of roughly 11 to 1. Bennett offers a host of degrees across their academic divisions of Humanities, Natural and Behavioral Sciences/Mathematics, and Social Sciences and Education. Bennett students stay active outside of the classroom, and the college is home to 50 registered student clubs and organizations, as well as an active Greek life. Intramural athletic teams include soccer, softball, swimming, basketball, and golf. Bennett’s basketball team is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Bennett is also a part of the annual UNCF / Bennett Golf Tournament.

Enrollment (2016)

• Total Enrollment: 474 (all undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 1% Male / 99% Female
• 82% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17)

• Tuition and Fees: $18,513
• Books: $1,400 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $8,114
• Other Expenses: $5,143
• Total Cost: $33,170

Bennett College Financial Aid (2015 - 16)

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 97%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 94%
  • Loans: 84%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $9,980
  • Loans: $7,537

Academic Programs

• Most Popular Majors: Biology, Business Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies, Journalism and Media Studies, Political Science, Psychology

Graduation and Retention Rates

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 45%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 26%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 42%

Data Source

National Center for Educational Statistics

If You Like Bennett College, You May Also Like These Schools:

Other colleges in the South that are either exclusively for women, or are mostly women include Sweet Briar College, Brenau University, Spelman College, and Hollins University.

Applicants interested in Bennett for its accessibility and size should also consider Erskine College, Converse College, Lees-McRae College, and Warren Wilson College, all of which are located in either North or South Carolina.