
Waleska, GAprivate nonprofitreinhardt.edu
Reinhardt University is a small, private liberal arts school in the Appalachian foothills of Georgia, where 60% of applicants get in but nearly all who enroll feel a fierce sense of belonging. With intimate classes (83% under 20 students) and a slate of pragmatic majors—from AI to nursing—it’s the kind of place where professors know your name and Friday nights mean Division III football under the mountain sky.
Reinhardt’s admissions process leans accessible, with a 60-62% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. and 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. policy. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 920-1200 on the SAT, though official submissions aren’t required. While the university doesn’t practice open admissions, its inclusive approach prioritizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over cutthroat metrics—a fit for students who thrive in close-knit environments.
With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and 82.5% of classes under 20 students, Reinhardt delivers an education that’s heavy on personal attention. The curriculum blends liberal arts foundations with career-ready programs—think Artificial Intelligence alongside Religious Studies, or Applied Data Science paired with Acting. Popular majors include Business Administration, Nursing, and Creative Writing, while niche offerings like Autism Spectrum Support services underscore the university’s commitment to accessibility. The College of Humanities, Sciences & Technology emphasizes 'life-long learning' through hands-on projects, from Python certifications to biology field research.
Life here orbits around connection: 96% of students report feeling tied to campus, and 90% express pride in their school. With 59% living on the wooded 525-acre campus, traditions like homecoming bonfires and intramural sports thrive. The vibe is 'open and friendly' (per university surveys), with clubs ranging from academic societies to outdoor adventure groups. Division III athletics—especially football—draw crowds, while the nearby Appalachian Trail lures hikers. One quirk? The university’s Welsh heritage pops up in events like annual eisteddfod poetry competitions.
Graduates typically earn $34,000-$42,000 early-career, climbing to $52,000 by their mid-30s—about 8% below national averages, but strong for rural Georgia. The six-year graduation rate sits at 42%, with many alumni entering K-12 education or business management. Notably, 85% are employed within three years of graduating, leveraging Reinhardt’s regional network. The university recently climbed a spot to #33 in U.S. News’ 'Regional Colleges South' rankings, signaling growing reputational momentum.
At $32,500 for tuition and fees, Reinhardt undercuts many private peers. After aid (which 74% of students receive), the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $27,507, with typical packages including $23,633 in grants/scholarships. The university provides a net price calculator to estimate individualized costs, though officials stress that final aid determinations come from the financial aid office. For context, early-career alumni salaries cover about 81% of the sticker price—a ratio that improves with experience.
Reinhardt’s superpower is scale: small enough that 92% of students say the school supports them, yet ambitious in launching programs like Georgia’s first four-year Applied Data Science degree. Its Appalachian setting fosters camaraderie (think: hiking trips between classes), while partnerships with nearby hospitals and tech firms provide real-world stakes. For students seeking a tight community with room to experiment—whether in AI labs or theater productions—this Welsh-namesake college punches above its weight.