Kentucky Mountain Bible College: 45.0% Acceptance Rate

45.0%Acceptance

$10,060Tuition

72Students

36%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$21,256Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearLiberal ArtsData: 2023-24Multiple Protestant

About Kentucky Mountain Bible College

Kentucky Mountain Bible College trains future pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers in the heart of Appalachian Kentucky. This small Protestant institution enrolls just 72 students in a rural-remote setting that emphasizes close-knit community and spiritual formation. The college maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio that allows for intensive mentoring in biblical studies and ministry preparation. Founded in 1931, the school has deep roots in serving mountain communities and training Christian leaders.

Students pay an average net price of $9,904, making this one of the more affordable Christian colleges in the region. However, graduates earn a median of $21,256 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the typically modest salaries in ministry work. The total cost of attendance reaches $15,930 with room and board. Only 46.88% of borrowers successfully repay their loans, suggesting financial challenges for some graduates. Low-income families pay just $6,042 net price, while higher-income families pay around $13,500.

The student body skews male at 58.33% and draws primarily from outside Kentucky despite the Appalachian location. The 35.70% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face balancing ministry training with financial pressures. An 81.82% retention rate shows students generally stay once they arrive.

Academics & Faculty

Kentucky Mountain Bible College centers its academics around biblical studies and ministry preparation for students planning careers in Christian service. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentoring relationships essential for theological education. With only 72 students total, classes operate more like discipleship groups than traditional lectures. The college offers degrees in biblical studies, pastoral ministry, and Christian education through its Appalachian setting. Students receive intensive scripture training and practical ministry experience in local churches. The 35.7% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many rural, first-generation college students face, though the 81.82% retention rate shows most students who start here want to continue their biblical education despite financial and academic obstacles.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 46.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 35.7%
Retention Rate: 81.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $21,256
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Campus Life

Deep in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky, this tiny campus houses just 72 students who come primarily for biblical and ministry training. With housing for 100 students, nearly everyone lives on campus in this tight-knit community. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally. Jackson sits about three hours from Lexington, making this one of the most remote college settings in America.

Students need winter coats for the cold Appalachian winters and should expect a quiet, contemplative campus life focused on spiritual growth. With 58% male enrollment, the student body skews heavily toward men preparing for ministry roles. Weekend activities center around chapel services, Bible study groups, and outdoor activities in the surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest. The 81% retention rate suggests students who choose this isolated, faith-centered environment tend to stay. Don't expect a bustling social scene or big city amenities. This is mountain living with a strong emphasis on Christian community and simple living.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Housing Capacity: 100 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1931

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 26°–43°F
July Avg: 66°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 142.4"
Annual Snowfall: -754.2"

Student Demographics

Students come from across the country to study ministry and biblical education, with over 90% traveling from outside Kentucky to reach this Appalachian mountain campus. The student body draws more men than women, reflecting the school's focus on pastoral and missionary training traditionally pursued by male students. Over half receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves students from working-class backgrounds who feel called to Christian service. The small enrollment of 72 students creates an intimate community where future ministers and Christian workers prepare for careers that prioritize spiritual impact over financial gain.

Men: 58.3%
Women: 41.7%
White: 81.9%
Black: 1.4%
Hispanic: 5.6%
Asian: 1.4%
In-State Students: 9.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 55.1%

Location

Kentucky Mountain Bible College sits in Jackson, Kentucky, roughly 100 miles southeast of Lexington in the heart of Appalachian coal country. The campus serves just 72 students in a rural-remote setting where mountains and hollers define the landscape. Jackson serves as the county seat of Breathitt County, a region known for its strong mountain heritage and tight-knit communities. Only 9.09% of students come from Kentucky, drawing most from across state lines to this secluded mountain location. The area offers outdoor recreation like hiking and fishing, but students should expect limited urban amenities. Students considering colleges in Kentucky may also compare Kentucky Mountain Bible College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Jackson, Kentucky 41339

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $21,256
Loan Repayment Rate: 46.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Kentucky Mountain Bible College?

Kentucky Mountain Bible College accepts 45% of applicants with an average ACT score of 21. This Appalachian ministry-focused college maintains selective admissions while serving students called to biblical education and Christian service.

How much does Kentucky Mountain Bible College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $9,904 annually, with 55% receiving financial aid. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,650, making this Christian education accessible to rural Appalachian communities.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Kentucky Mountain Bible College?

The college maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio with only 72 total students enrolled. This intimate setting allows for personalized biblical instruction and close mentoring relationships essential to ministry preparation.

Does Kentucky Mountain Bible College have good graduation outcomes?

The college graduates 47% of students within four years and 36% within six years. Alumni earn a median salary of $21,256 after ten years, reflecting the school's focus on ministry careers rather than high-paying secular professions.

Where do students live at Kentucky Mountain Bible College?

The rural Jackson, Kentucky campus houses students in facilities with capacity for 100 residents at $5,370 annually. This remote Appalachian setting provides a focused environment for spiritual formation away from urban distractions.

Is Kentucky Mountain Bible College diverse?

The student body is 82% white with 58% male enrollment, reflecting its rural Appalachian location. , 91% of students come from out-of-state, drawn by the college's specialized biblical education mission despite its remote Kentucky setting.