Antioch College: 83.0% Acceptance Rate

83.0%Acceptance

$37,143Tuition

127Students

26%Grad Rate (6-yr)

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsData: 2023-24

About Antioch College

Antioch College pioneered cooperative education and student-led governance long before these ideas became trendy. Just 127 students attend this progressive institution in rural Ohio, where mandatory work experience alternates with classroom learning. Notable graduates include civil rights leader Coretta Scott King and Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling. The college's "Radicals" nickname reflects its century-long commitment to social justice and educational innovation.

Students pay an average net price of just $6,602 regardless of family income, making this expensive education surprisingly affordable. Nearly 75% receive Pell Grants, indicating the college actively recruits low-income students. However, graduates earn a median of $37,197 five years after graduation, which may not justify the financial investment for career-focused students. The 72% federal loan rate suggests many still borrow despite generous aid.

Only 26% of students graduate within six years, and the 61% retention rate indicates many transfer elsewhere. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensures intense personal attention, but the tiny size means limited course offerings and social opportunities. Women make up 63% of the student body, creating an unusually gender-imbalanced environment. Students seeking traditional college experiences should look elsewhere, but those drawn to experimental education and activism may thrive here.

Academics & Faculty

Antioch College operates as a progressive liberal arts college where students design their own academic paths through self-governance and experiential learning. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom discussions and close mentorship relationships. However, only 26% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the college's unconventional approach that prioritizes personal growth over traditional timelines. The school pioneered cooperative education, requiring students to alternate between academic study and paid work experiences. This work-study model helps students apply classroom learning in real-world settings while building professional networks. Students vote on curriculum decisions and participate in hiring faculty through the college's democratic governance system. The quarter system allows for intensive, focused study periods.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 25.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 26.3%
Retention Rate: 61.3%
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Campus Life

Yellow Springs sits 20 minutes from Dayton in southwestern Ohio, where winter coats are essential from November through March. Only 127 students attend this tiny liberal arts college, creating an intimate community where everyone knows each other. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio means professors become mentors rather than distant lecturers.

Campus housing accommodates 221 students, though not all spots are filled given the small enrollment. Most students live on campus in the close-knit community that defines Antioch's culture. The school operates on a quarter system that alternates between academic study and mandatory co-op work experiences around the world. Students govern themselves through community meetings and consensus-building, carrying on traditions from the 1960s counterculture movement. Weekends often involve outdoor activities in the surrounding Ohio countryside or trips to nearby Dayton. The college's nickname "Radicals" reflects its progressive values and experimental approach to education. With 63% women and strong diversity for rural Ohio, the campus maintains its reputation as a place for students who want to change the world.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 221 beds
Calendar System: Quarter
Founded: 1850

Campus Safety (2023)

14 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Rape	3	3
Burglary	3	2
Dating Violence	1	1
Fondling	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 16°–37°F
July Avg: 62°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 41.9"
Annual Snowfall: 18.7"

Student Demographics

The student body draws more women than men, reflecting the college's progressive values and emphasis on social justice work. Nearly 75% receive Pell Grants, showing Antioch's commitment to making education accessible regardless of family income. Students come from diverse racial backgrounds, with roughly half identifying as white and the remainder representing Black, Hispanic, and other communities. About 57% hail from Ohio, suggesting the college maintains strong regional ties while attracting students nationwide who seek its distinctive cooperative education model and tradition of student activism.

Men: 37.0%
Women: 63.0%
White: 49.6%
Black: 12.6%
Hispanic: 16.5%
Asian: 4.7%
In-State Students: 56.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 74.8%

Location

Antioch College sits in Yellow Springs, Ohio, about 70 miles northeast of Cincinnati and 20 miles from Dayton. The town of 3,700 residents has long been a bohemian enclave in southwestern Ohio's farming region. Yellow Springs attracts artists, activists, and free spirits who appreciate its walkable downtown filled with organic cafes and independent shops. The village became famous as a stop on the Underground Railroad and maintains its progressive reputation today. Students find themselves in a tight-knit community where college and town blend seamlessly together. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Antioch College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (5 years): $37,197

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Antioch College?

Antioch College accepts 82.95% of applicants, making admission relatively accessible. The school attracts students drawn to its progressive educational philosophy and commitment to social justice activism.

How much does Antioch College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is just $6,602 for students across all income levels. With 74.80% of students receiving financial aid and the college's generous aid policies, attending this historic progressive institution becomes affordable for most families.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Antioch College?

Classes are intimate with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio among the 127 enrolled students. The college emphasizes close mentorship relationships and collaborative learning as part of its alternative educational approach.

What are the graduation outcomes at Antioch College?

The 6-year graduation rate stands at 26.30%, reflecting the non-traditional paths many students take. Graduates earn a median of $37,197 five years after graduation, often pursuing careers in social justice, education, and creative fields.

Where is Antioch College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Yellow Springs, Ohio, a small progressive town known for its artistic community. With housing capacity for 221 students and a 61.29% retention rate, the tight-knit campus fosters deep connections among students who share the school's radical values.

Does Antioch College require work experience as part of its program?

All students must complete mandatory cooperative education work experiences as part of their degree requirements. This hands-on learning approach, combined with student self-governance traditions, has shaped notable alumni including Coretta Scott King and Rod Serling since the college's founding in 1850.