Admit rate has ranged 64%–77% 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.
Young Harris College is a small, scenic liberal arts college in the North Georgia mountains that punches above its weight with personalized attention (an 11:1 student-faculty ratio) and a surprisingly robust merit aid program. While its 63% acceptance rate and modest graduation metrics suggest it's not for the academically faint of heart, YHC rewards engaged students with tight-knit campus traditions, Division II athletics, and a curriculum that blends Appalachian roots with forward-looking programs like environmental science and musical theatre.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
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
755
In-state tuition
$32,305
Out-of-state tuition
$32,305
Acceptance Rate
62.6% (2024)
Merit Aid Tiers
$17K–$21K
4-Year Grad Rate
42%
6-Year Grad Rate
40.46%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Sticker Price (2026-27)
$47,695
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$47,195
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.1×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
42%
First-year retention
65%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
59%
Pell (lower-income) share
55%
First-generation share
28%
Endowment / student
$171,575
Financial health
2.4 / 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.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$32,382
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)
3
Per 1,000 students
3.97
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
112
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
36°F
Annual rain
57.7"
Annual snow
5.3"
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
49
Scholarly works
311
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
0.3%
Bottom → top quintile
6%
From bottom quintile
6%
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 Young Harris College?
Young Harris College's acceptance rate is approximately 63% (Young Harris, GA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Young Harris College cost?
At Young Harris College, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,034 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Young Harris College?
Young Harris College enrolls approximately 755 undergraduate students.
Where is Young Harris College located?
Young Harris College is located in Young Harris, GA.
Admissions
Young Harris operates with a 62.6% acceptance rate (867 admits from 1,384 applications in 2024), making it accessible but not a slam dunk. 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. since at least 2022, YHC evaluates applicants primarily on high school GPA, though mid-50% SAT scores range from 930–1200 and ACT scores from 17–24. The admissions office emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with no pre-application form required and TOEFL accepted for international students. Contact points are straightforward: admissions@yhc.edu or 706-379-3108 (fax).
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.
A US News-ranked national liberal arts college, YHC offers 30+ majors and minors with standout programs in business, education, and health professions. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio ensures small classes—though the percentage with under 20 students isn't published—and a 42% four-year graduation rate suggests academic rigor. The curriculum leans traditional but promotes 'innovative academic programs,' with faculty known for mentorship. Notably, there are no online degree options, reinforcing its commitment to in-person learning.
Life at YHC revolves around mountain-backed campus traditions and Division II athletics (Go Mountain Lions!). With no dominant party scene, students bond through:
Greek life (though prevalence isn't quantified)
Clubs and campus events
Outdoor activities leveraging the Appalachian setting
Instagram snippets reveal a culture where commuters are urged to 'get as involved as possible.' The college bills itself as a 'community of everyone who works, lives, studies, and learns' there—a vibe closer to extended family than anonymous state school.
YHC's 46% overall graduation rate (lower than 70% of US colleges) signals challenges, but persisters see solid returns: $36,427 median earnings one year post-graduation. The 40.46% six-year graduation rate (per federal data) trails national averages, though retention metrics aren't publicly detailed. Alumni outcomes suggest the college serves students who might struggle elsewhere but thrive with its support—think 'prove yourself' potential rather than prestige pipeline.
At $47,695 sticker price for 2026-27 (tuition + room/board), YHC leverages merit scholarships from $17K–$21K to lower net costs. The average student pays $18,910 after aid, with 67.15% receiving assistance. The $26,794 average aid package is robust for a school of its size, making it a relative bargain among private liberal arts colleges—if you qualify for their tiered scholarships.
Young Harris is the quintessential 'hidden gem'—a college where the Blue Ridge Mountains backdrop meets surprisingly generous aid. Its 1,400-student body creates an 'all-in' culture (evidenced by Instagram exhortations to 'embrace the culture'), while 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. admissions and academic support cater to late bloomers. Unlike elite liberal arts schools, YHC measures success by transforming B students into employable graduates, not publishing PhDs. For those seeking small-town camaraderie with outdoor adventures between classes, it’s a compelling choice.
Young Harris College logo · sourceQuick facts - Young Harris College · sourceVisit YHC - Young Harris College · sourceYoung Harris College - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
