Berry College: Exploring Popular Majors and Academic Excellence

Berry College, founded in 1902, is dedicated to providing a well-rounded liberal arts education within a Christian spirit. With over 75 areas of study, Berry encourages students to explore their academic interests and acquire a broad-based education. The college's commitment to student success is evident in its academic offerings, campus culture, and career development resources.

Academic Overview

Berry College distinguishes itself through its diverse academic programs and dedicated faculty. As of 2022-23, Berry has more than 160 full-time faculty members. Ninety-one percent of Berry’s faculty have earned the PhD or highest degree available in their field. Over the past five years, faculty members have published more than 400 scholarly articles and 40 books, and they have made over 1300 presentations at national conferences. Student-faculty interaction at Berry is ranked in the top 10% nationally.

The college offers professional and pre-professional programs, including student-designed majors, double majors, independent study, internships and study abroad opportunities available for all students. Berry College hosts several distinctive events that contribute to its campus culture and student experience. True to its liberal arts mission, Berry encourages students to explore their various academic interests.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Berry College is $40,140, which is $15,565 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575). After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $25,383.

Berry College is committed to making education accessible. In 2023, 99% of undergraduate students attending Berry College received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 39% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans. This underscores the college's dedication to supporting students from various financial backgrounds.

Read also: Berry College's Football Program

Admissions and Enrollment

Berry College received 6,467 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 14.6% annual growth. Out of those 6,467 applicants, 4,000 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 61.9% acceptance rate. The college has an overall enrollment yield of 14.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

In 2023, Berry College had a total enrollment of 2,370 students. The full-time enrollment at Berry College is 2,250 students and the part-time enrollment is 120. This means that 94.9% of students enrolled at Berry College are enrolled full-time. The enrolled student population at Berry College, both undergraduate and graduate, is 72.7% White, 9.66% Hispanic or Latino, 8.65% Black or African American, 4.6% Two or More Races, 2.78% Asian, 0.211% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.127% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Graduation and Retention Rates

In 2023, 66% of students graduating from Berry College completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 72% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 73% within 200%. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Berry College was 83%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), Berry College had a retention rate higher than its peers.

Popular Majors and Academic Focus

Berry College offers a wide array of majors. Core classes generally range from 18 to 30 students per class. The average freshman and sophomore classes range from 20 to 25 students in a class. The most popular majors at Berry College include: Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Education; Psychology; Health Professions and Related Programs; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; English Language and Literature/Letters; and Social Sciences.

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Berry College was Zoology with 50 degrees awarded. In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Berry College, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Philosophy and Religious Studies (12 degrees awarded), Biology (108 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (41 degrees).

Read also: Berry on Chinese Literature

Notable Programs

Berry College offers several distinctive programs reflecting its commitment to diverse academic pursuits. These include:

One Health: A transdisciplinary approach to solving health-related problems.
Professional Tennis Management: A career path for students interested in the tennis industry.
LifeWorks program: An initiative that allows students to explore career possibilities with paid work positions across 180 departments.

Campus Culture and Student Life

Berry College is known for its tight-knit community and emphasis on student well-being. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 84%. Students believe that Berry's traditionally small classes and faculty-student ratio (roughly 12 to 1) enhances their learning and the overall quality of the college experience. Students often refer to the "Berry bubble," a term that emphasizes their close fellowship and the strength of their collective identity. "Berry is a tight-knit community and there's a friendly face around every corner." The relatively small student body enhances this sense of unity and school loyalty. "At Berry, no matter what kind of person you come across, everyone is genuine, kind, and helpful."

Campus Environment

Berry's sprawling campus, located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, comprises 27,000 acres of mountains, streams, and woodlands, making it the largest contiguous college campus in the world. "My favorite extracurricular activity at Berry College is walking the trails or taking drives around our mountain campus, especially during student-organized midnight/full-moon hikes." Groups of students can often be found hiking Lavender Mountain to reach the House o' Dreams-the founder's quaint stone and board and batten cottage from which one can not only see the entire campus, but also Northwest Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. "Berry's beautiful campus encourages lots of outdoor activities and engagement." Berry offers an unusually beautiful environment for learning on its 27,000-acre campus, one of the world's largest. Fields, forests, lakes and mountains provide scenic beauty in a protected natural setting.

Student Activities and Well-being

Pickleball is a favorite among students and a social ritual for many, as are the various activities organized by the Krannert Center Activities Board, such as skate nights, concerts, and talent shows, all of which are alcohol-free (as liquor is prohibited on the main Berry campus).

Berry College provides college-owned housing with coeducational options, accommodating 87% of its students on campus. First-year students are permitted to bring vehicles and park on campus, facilitating convenient transportation. The campus provides high-speed internet access to support student connectivity and academic needs. The residence life staff is trained twice a year in general mental health. They encourage and incorporate mental health and wellness into their monthly programs that are conducted by the Resident Assistants.

Read also: Berry College Admission Landscape

Career Development and Support

The Career Development office at Berry College offers a comprehensive support system to guide students through every stage of their career journey. Central to this support is a robust career development network that includes Career Consultants, faculty advisors, alumni, and employer partners. Students can begin their exploration with tools like the PathwayU Assessments, which help identify their career interests, core values, personality traits, and workplace preferences.

Career Consultants are available for one-on-one meetings with students to discuss and explore possible majors and career paths. They also assist students in refining their résumés and cover letters, practicing interviews, and developing effective job search and application strategies. Additionally, students can connect with alumni and hiring managers through Berry College Networking Events, gaining valuable professional insights and opportunities.

Experiential Learning

"The LifeWorks program is incredible!" says one student, referring to an initiative that allows students to explore career possibilities with paid work positions across 180 departments. "My on-campus jobs have given me invaluable experience in my major and field." Through this layered and proactive approach, Berry College equips students with the tools and confidence they need to successfully navigate their immediate job searches and long-term career paths.

Operations and Endowment

Berry College has an endowment valued at nearly $1.26B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 69.4M (5.5%) compared to the 5.72% average return (2.84M on 49.7M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities. In 2023, Berry College had a total salary expenditure of 113M. Berry College employs 55 Assistant professors, 54 Associate professors and 38 Professors.

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