Blackburn College Description:
Blackburn College is an independent, Presbyterian liberal arts college located in Carlinville, Illinois. It is one of only seven recognized American work colleges, a system in which students are required to work on campus to gain job experience and partially fund their tuition, and Blackburn has the only student-managed work program in the country. The rural campus offers a true Midwestern small-town experience, but Springfield, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri are both less than two hours away. Students benefit from Blackburn’s small class sizes and a student faculty ratio of just 12 to 1, allowing for personal attention and one-on-one interaction with faculty. The college offers more than 30 academic majors, including bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, elementary education, communications and business management. Outside of class, students are active both in their work program jobs and in campus life, which includes more than 30 student clubs and organizations. The Blackburn Beavers compete in the NCAA Division III St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The small college fields five men's and six women's intercollegiate sports.
Admissions Data (2012):
- Percent of Applicants Admitted: 61%
- What Are Your Chances? (from Cappex.com)
- Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
- SAT Critical Reading: - / -
- SAT Math: - / -
- SAT Writing: - / -
- ACT Composite: 18 / 23
- ACT English: 17 / 23
- ACT Math: 17 / 23
Enrollment (2011):
- Total Enrollment: 549 (all undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 43% Male / 57% Female
- 96% Full-time
Costs (2012 - 13):
- Tuition and Fees: $17,502
- Books: $700 (why so much?)
- Room and Board: $5,432
- Other Expenses: $950
- Total Cost: $24,584
Blackburn College Financial Aid (2010 - 11):
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 99%
- Blackburn College Scholarships (Cappex.com)
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 95%
- Loans: 91%
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $8,137
- Loans: $4,959
Most Popular Majors:
Biology, Business Administration, Communications, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Psychology
Retention and Graduation Rates:
- First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 61%
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 36%
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 48%
Data Source:
National Center for Educational Statistics
Blackburn College Mission Statement:
mission statement from http://www.blackburn.edu/about_blackburn.html
"Blackburn College, founded in 1837 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), provides a coeducational student body with a rigorous, distinctive, and affordable liberal arts education that prepares graduates to be responsible, productive citizens. The Blackburn community values critical and independent thinking, leadership development, respect for all individuals, and lifelong learning. The College fosters a sense of service, community, and moral responsibility through its unique student-managed work program, its collegial concept of shared governance, and its faculty/staff mentor relationship with students."
