Admit rate has ranged 64%–79% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Asbury University is a small, evangelical Christian liberal arts college in Wilmore, Kentucky, where faith and academics intertwine with uncommon intensity. Known for its tight-knit community and 99% career outcomes rate, Asbury combines rigorous academics with a deeply spiritual campus life—chapel is a pillar of the experience, and 100% of undergraduates receive financial aid. Its equine studies and media programs stand out, but it’s the school’s commitment to 'think, love, serve, and live well' that defines the Asbury ethos.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,420
In-state tuition
$33,640
Out-of-state tuition
$33,640
Location
Wilmore, KY
Acceptance Rate
63–95%
6-Year Grad Rate
72% (non-Pell), 52% (Pell)
On-Campus Living
98%
Most Popular Major
Business (45%)
Career Outcomes Rate
99%
Religious Affiliation
Evangelical Christian (Wesleyan)
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,368
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$24,028
Graduation rate
65%
First-year retention
83%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
66%
Pell (lower-income) share
55%
First-generation share
24%
Endowment / student
$55,035
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$33,382
Accounting and Related Services$29,685
Communication and Media Studies$29,141
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$26,739
Religious Music and Worship$25,774
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
87
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
32°F
Annual rain
51.2"
Annual snow
8.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
32
Scholarly works
523
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Asbury University?
Asbury University's acceptance rate is approximately 63% (Wilmore, KY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Asbury University cost?
At Asbury University, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,401 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Asbury University?
Asbury University enrolls approximately 1,420 undergraduate students.
Where is Asbury University located?
Asbury University is located in Wilmore, KY.
Admissions
Asbury University is not selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 63% to 95% depending on the source, making it accessible to most applicants. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1040–1270 on the SAT or comparable ACT scores. The admissions process requires official transcripts and standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), but the emphasis is clearly on fit rather than exclusivity. Asbury’s admissions team actively encourages applicants, framing the process as collaborative ('We'd love to help!').
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$20,140
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$20,140
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Asbury offers a liberal arts core with standout programs in Business (the most popular major), Equine Studies, and Radio/Television. The curriculum emphasizes 'job-ready skills' alongside spiritual formation, with small class sizes and hands-on learning. Notably, 45% of graduates major in Business, followed by niche programs like Equine Studies (24 graduates reported). The university prides itself on a #3 Best Value in the South ranking (U.S. News), blending affordability with rigorous academics. Faculty support is a recurring theme, with students praising personalized mentorship.
Life at Asbury revolves around faith and community. Chapel—a weekly requirement—anchors campus culture, with Break-Out Chapel events deepening class bonds. 98% of students live on campus, fostering a residential intensity where 'close-knit' isn’t just a brochure cliché. Instagram posts showcase worship sessions, service projects, and equestrian teams, while Niche reviews highlight the 'supportive' environment. Sports (NAIA) and arts thrive, but the real draw is the intentional Christian living: dorm Bible studies, mission trips, and a 'no alcohol' policy reinforce the school’s Wesleyan identity.
Asbury punches above its weight with a 99% career outcomes rate (92.5% knowledge rate), far surpassing the national average (85.7%). The 6-year graduation rate is 72% for non-Pell Grant recipients but drops to 52% for Pell recipients, revealing an equity gap. Still, the university outperforms predictions: a study suggested a 50% graduation rate based on demographics, but Asbury delivered 24 percentage points higher. First destinations include ministry, education, and media—fields aligned with the school’s mission.
At $46,740 annually (2026–27) for tuition, housing, and food, Asbury isn’t cheap—but 100% of undergraduates receive aid. The average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after scholarships is $21,375, with aid packages averaging $45,457. The school leans heavily on grants and merit scholarships (like the Trustee Scholarship for high achievers) to offset costs. A robust net price calculator helps families plan, but the real selling point is the value proposition: Asbury’s #3 regional ranking for 'Best Value' suggests the investment pays off.
Asbury’s distinction lies in its unapologetic integration of faith and learning, a rarity even among Christian colleges. The Equine Studies program (a sleeper hit) and media arts offerings provide practical pathways, but it’s the 99% outcomes rate that turns heads. Unlike larger evangelical schools, Asbury doubles down on community—98% on-campus living ensures immersion. The chapel mandate and 'no alcohol' policies won’t suit everyone, but for students seeking a rigorous, Christ-centered education with near-guaranteed job placement, Asbury delivers.
Asbury University logo · sourceThe College Tour: All Episodes | Asbury University · sourceAsbury University Tour | The College Tour · sourceVisit Asbury | www.asbury.edu · source
