Admit rate has ranged 34%–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.
Bennett College, a small historically Black women's college in Greensboro, NC, offers an intimate liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on leadership and social justice. Known for its tight-knit community and ethical focus, Bennett struggles with financial sustainability but provides notable support for student retention and engagement.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
178
In-state tuition
$19,140
Out-of-state tuition
$19,140
Type
Private, women's HBCU
Location
Greensboro, NC
Retention Rate
86%
Acceptance Rate
33.6%-98% (varies by source)
Notable Programs
Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Leadership Development
6-Year Graduation Rate
39%
Undergraduate Enrollment
Under 300
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$36,654
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.3×
Median debt at graduation
$28,130
Graduation rate
25%
First-year retention
86%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
26%
Pell (lower-income) share
84%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$92,814
Financial health
1.9 / 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.
Social Work$36,488
Business Administration, Management and Operations$31,133
Communication and Media Studies$30,771
Biology, General$25,967
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$21,964
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.
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
104
Summer high
87°F
Winter low
36°F
Annual rain
45.8"
Annual snow
4.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
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
42
Scholarly works
271
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.9%
Bottom → top quintile
21%
From bottom quintile
18%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Bennett College?
Bennett College's acceptance rate is approximately 51% (Greensboro, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Bennett College?
Admitted students at Bennett College typically score 820–1060 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Bennett College cost?
At Bennett College, the average net price (after aid) is about $28,299 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Bennett College?
Bennett College enrolls approximately 178 undergraduate students.
Where is Bennett College located?
Bennett College is located in Greensboro, NC.
Admissions
Bennett College's admissions process reflects its mission as a small, supportive HBCU for women. Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. vary widely by source—from 33.6% (PrepScholar) to 98% (ThoughtCo)—suggesting fluctuating selectivity. Mid-range SAT scores (820-1060) and ACT scores (14-21) are typical for admitted students, though Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies may apply. The college emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over strict cutoffs, seeking students aligned with its values of integrity and civic engagement.
Bennett structures its curriculum around three divisions: Arts/Humanities/Education, Science/Technology, and Social/Behavioral Sciences. While engineering programs are listed (chemical, electrical, industrial, mechanical), these likely represent partnerships or concentrations rather than full ABET-accredited degrees. The college emphasizes 'ethical standards and principles' rooted in New Testament values, with particular strengths in transforming students into leaders through civic engagement and social justice frameworks. International collaborations exist, including student/faculty exchange programs.
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.
Life at Bennett revolves around its identity as a close-knit women's college with HBCU traditions. The honor code mandates 'respectful, honest, and ethical behavior,' creating a structured environment. While specific clubs aren't detailed, the college fosters leadership development through campus activities. Instagram reels and Reddit threads suggest an active culture blending academics with events like cultural fests and hackathons—though some content may conflate Bennett College (NC) with Bennett University (India). The Greensboro location provides urban opportunities while maintaining a residential campus feel.
Bennett's 86% first-year retention rate outperforms peer institutions (75% average), signaling strong initial student support. However, 6-year graduation rates lag at 39%, with Pell Grant recipients graduating at just 17% versus 42% for non-Pell students. Post-graduation outcomes are concerning: median earnings six years out are $23,200—well below national averages. These metrics reflect both the college's mission of serving underrepresented populations and ongoing institutional challenges.
With a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. around $20,928 after average aid packages of $19,149, Bennett works to offset its $16,000 tuition through grants and scholarships. However, the significant gap between sticker price and post-graduation earnings raises questions about return on investment. The college provides a net price calculator, emphasizing transparency in financial planning for its predominantly low-income student body.
Bennett distinguishes itself as one of only two all-women HBCUs nationwide, offering a rare combination of Black sisterhood, liberal arts rigor, and ethical leadership development. Its 86% retention rate demonstrates exceptional student support early on, though persistence to graduation remains a challenge. The college's intimate scale (no graduate programs) allows personalized attention, while its Greensboro location connects students to civil rights history and contemporary activism. Ideal for students seeking a values-driven, community-focused HBCU experience—with eyes wide open about post-graduate economic realities.
Bennett College logo · sourceCampus Map – Bennett College · sourceBennett College | Liberal Arts College in North Carolina · sourceBennett College – HBCU Money Guide · source
