Blackburn College Admissions

Blackburn College Admissions Overview:

Blackburn has an acceptance rate of 54%--while that might seem low, students with average grades and test scores still have a good chance of being admitted. In order to apply, interested students will need to submit an application form, SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, and a writing sample/essay. Check out Blackburn's website for complete information.

Admissions Data (2016):

• Percent of Applicants Admitted: 54%
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 420 / 450
  • SAT Math: 370 / 440
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What these SAT numbers mean
  • ACT Composite: 18 / 23
  • ACT English: 17 / 23
  • ACT Math: 16 / 22
    • What these ACT numbers mean

Blackburn College Description:

Blackburn College is an independent, Presbyterian liberal arts college located in Carlinville, Illinois. It is one of only seven recognized American work colleges, a system in which students are required to work on campus to gain job experience and partially fund their tuition, and Blackburn has the only student-managed work program in the country. The rural campus offers a true Midwestern small-town experience, but Springfield, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri are both less than two hours away. Students benefit from Blackburn’s small class sizes and a student faculty ratio of just 12 to 1, allowing for personal attention and one-on-one interaction with faculty. The college offers more than 30 academic majors, including bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, elementary education, communications and business management. Outside of class, students are active both in their work program jobs and in campus life, which includes more than 30 student clubs and organizations. The Blackburn Beavers compete in the NCAA Division III St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The small college fields five men's and six women's intercollegiate sports.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 596 (all undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 46% Male / 54% Female
• 96% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $21,162
• Books: $700 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $7,364
• Other Expenses: $950
• Total Cost: $30,176

Blackburn College Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 99%
  • Loans: 87%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $14,272
  • Loans: $5,306

Most Popular Majors:

Biology, Business Administration, Communications, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Psychology

Retention and Graduation Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 65%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 31%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 42%

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

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

Students interested in another of the “work” colleges should consider Berea College, Alice Lloyd College, Warren Wilson College, or the College of the Ozarks. These schools are all generally similar in size, number of academic programs offered, and accessibility.

For those interested in an Illinois college or university with less than 1,000 students enrolled, other great choices include Illinois College, Eureka College, and Principia College.

Blackburn College Mission Statement:

mission statement from https://blackburn.edu/about/mission/​

"Blackburn College, founded in 1837 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), provides a coeducational student body with a rigorous, distinctive, and affordable liberal arts education that prepares graduates to be responsible, productive citizens. The Blackburn community values critical and independent thinking, leadership development, respect for all individuals, and lifelong learning. The College fosters a sense of service, community, and moral responsibility through its unique student-managed work program, its collegial concept of shared governance, and its faculty/staff mentor relationship with students."