How this private college maintains a $1 billion endowment without charging tuition
But unlike other private liberal arts colleges with whopping endowments, Berea has accumulated its endowment all while offering four-year degrees to students tuition-free.
Now that student loan debt is the second-largest source of consumer debt in America, it might be time to glean some lessons from Berea.Berea spends about $27,000 per student every year, where a typical top 20 school spends in the $40,000-$60,000 range, Berea College president, Lyle Roeloff, told Business Insider.
Berea is in a unique position and doesn't compete against neighboring schools for applicants. Other private colleges must work to provide more lavish amenities to woo prospective students.
Berea has other creative methods for keeping costs down, including reducing the need for outside workers by employing its students around campus. Berea students work 10-15 hours a week as teaching assistants, grounds keepers, and farm workers.
The college's 250-acre organic farm actually produces 10% of the food eaten in the cafeteria including beef, pork, chicken, goat, and vegetables. The farm aims to produce 25% of the cafeteria's food within the next 10 years.
The college also has a large student craft operation that involves making and selling furniture. In fact, the craft operation made 120 chairs for the ballroom in the Kentucky Governor's Mansion in 2013.Undoubtedly, Bereas must work hard to maintain its endowment as well as its tuition-free model. Berea was one of only 10 tuition-free colleges in the US, but that number changed to nine last year. Cooper Union college, located in New York City, started collecting tuition from students in 2014.
Next