Bryan College

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Esteemed, Evangelical Liberal Arts Education at Bryan

Bryan College appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs at Private Colleges. Ranked the U.S. News & World Report’s 30th best Southern value, Bryan College is a private, nonprofit Christian CCCU member in Dayton. It’s anked the U.S. News & World Report’s 30th best Southern value. Bryan offers:
  • two associate degrees
  • 26 bachelor’s degrees
  • four master’s degrees
These include 10 fully online and a Dual Enrollment Program.Student/teacher ratio is 12:1. For example, there is a 120-credit B.A. in English that can be completed in four-year. The Secondary 7-12 Licensure options include practice publishing The Triangle and competing on Debate Team. The 120-credit B.S. in Biology provides opportunities to:
  • conduct Lake Chickamauga research
  • intern with the Acts Project
  • take the Israel Study Tour
  • join Beta Beta Beta
  • apply for the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship
The M.A. in Christian Ministry  offers a 36-credit, ACSI-approved curriculum. It has Bible Education and Church Administration tracks. It has nine-week accelerated courses for 93 percent job placement. The M.Ed. in Classroom Instruction starts its 36-credit, 14-month sequence five times yearly. Online courses include Learning Assessment and Behavior Management. There’s one nine-week practicum placement like Rhea Central Elementary School. Other Bryan degrees include:
  • A.S. in Business
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Economics & Finance
  • B.S.E. in Engineering
  • B.A. in Music
  • B.S. in Applied Psychology
  • B.S. in Theatre
  • M.A. in Human Services
  • M.B.A. in Marketing

About Bryan College

Bryan College originated on July 23, 1925.  William Jennings Bryan came to Dayton for the famous Scopes Evolution Trial to advocate for teaching from a Christian perspective. Just three days later, Bryan suddenly died before delivering his 15,000-word address. By 1930, the William Jennings Bryan Memorial Association finally achieved his goal of opening a Dayton school. That September, non-denominational Christian liberal arts courses began at Rhea Central High School. In 1934, William Jennings Bryan University graduated its first coed bachelor’s class. In 1958, it was renamed William Jennings Bryan College. On January 1, 1969, President Theodore Mercer successfully earned its initial regional accreditation. Three decades later, its title was shortened to Bryan College. In 2001, Bryan joined the Appalachian Athletic Conference for NAIA Division II sports. In 2018, Bryan College broke ground on its new innovative, 18,000-square-foot Stophel Center. It’s for $6.8 million. Bryan College employs 48 full-time and 156 part-time professors. There are 1,450 students from 40 states online or on its 128-acre Greater Chattanooga campus. It has over 20 clubs like the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2017, Bryan received the University Research & Review’s Best Value School Award. In 2018, Bryan College won the Second Place Award at the Enactus United States National Exposition. Bryan accepted a 2019 AVCA Team Academic Excellence Award, as well. The U.S. News & World Report named Bryan College 31st for undergrad teaching and 23rd for social mobility regionally.  Niche named Bryan America’s:
  • 29th best online degrees
  • 143rd top kinesiology program
  • 157th best Christian education
WalletHub named Bryan College the 193rd best financial aid and 358th top faculty resources.

Bryan College Accreditation Details

In 2014, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges renewed the Level III accreditation status through the next 2023-24. This authentic 11-state Appalachian Region accreditor is recognized by:
  • the Council on Higher Education Accreditation
  • Tennessee Higher Education Commission
It’s also accredited by:
  • the International Accreditation Council for Business Education
  • the Association of Christian Schools International

Bryan College Application Requirements

Enrollment at Bryan College is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s. About 370 of the 679 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen. This is a 54 percent acceptance rate. First-year students must complete a high school diploma or a GED/HiSET equivalency exam. Clear acceptance requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Freshmen need at least 18 ACT, 54 CLT, or 960 SAT scores. The Class of 2022 had an average 3.56 GPA, 1100 SAT, and 23 ACT mark. The Honors Institute seeks GPAs above 3.5 and SAT scores over 1260. Transfers must verify 24+ attempted credits at regionally accredited colleges with 2.0 GPAs or better. Foreign learners need TOEFL scores higher than 79 iBT or 550 pBT. Graduate programs generally require a four-year bachelor’s completion with 2.5 and greater GPAs. Online Master of Business Administration cohorts achieve an average 570 GMAT score. The M.Ed. tracks online are designed for already licensed K-12 teachers with education prerequisites. Bryan College has rolling admission to avoid strict deadlines. Freshmen can apply as soon as September 1st of their senior year. Enrollment deposits of $100 are refundable until May 1st. The Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program closes on January 31st. Online students should file at least five days before the current start dates of:
  • March 9th
  • May 14th
  • August 19th
  • October 14th
  • January 13th
Undergraduate students need to complete the Bryan Application online with $35  by credit card. It’s $50 for graduate applicants. Request transcript mailings to 721 Bryan Drive in Dayton, TN 37321. Send official test scores using SAT/TOEFL code 1908 or ACT code 4038. Attach extra materials, such as:
  • the biographical questions
  • three-paragraph essay
  • Community Life Standards agreement
  • I-20 form
  • housing deposit
  • spiritual mentor reference
Contact (423) 775-2041 or admissions@bryan.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2020-21, Bryan College charges full-time undergrads $8,450 each semester or $16,900 annually. Traditional part-time study is $1,250 per credit. Overload credits above 19 cost $480 each. Undergrads cover the:
  • $150 graduation fee
  • $25 parking fee
  • $75 science lab fee
Summer tuition is priced at $365 per credit. The Dual Enrollment Program costs $160 per credit. Residing at the Dayton housing adds $7,800 for yearly room and board. Bryan budgets $1,250 for textbooks and $2,700 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $38,250 on-site or $30,450 if commuting. Online undergrad courses bill $380 per credit. Graduate programs generally require $450 per credit or $16,200 in total. Online MBA cohorts spend $595 per credit for $21,420 though. According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid helps 99 percent of new full-time Bryan Lions enroll with tuition assistance. Institutional funds include:
  • the Dean’s Merit Scholarship
  • Distinguished Service Award, Honors Award
  • Great Commoner Award
  • Bible College Partners Scholarship
  • National Merit Recognition Award
  • Opportunity Scholarship
  • Need-Based Grant
  • Rhea County Scholarship
  • Alumni Grant
  • Missionary Grant
  • Homeschool Grant
  • Performing Arts Scholarship
  • Sibling Grant
  • Martial Arts Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship awards $3,000 annually to outstanding freshmen exceeding:
  • the 27 ACT
  • 1260 SAT
  • 84 CLT score minimum
The $2,500 Transfer Scholarship assists qualified full-time residential transfers. Federal resources, including the SEOG Grant and Work-Study Program, require FAFSA applications. Tennesseans can also utilize:
  • the Hope Access Grant
  • Foster Child Grant
  • Student Assistance Award
  • Dual Enrollment Grant
  • Helping Heroes Grant
  • Horatio Alger Scholarship, and more.
Explore the three academic divisions offering 30+ Christ-centered majors placed 231st overall by Washington Monthly at the Bryan College website.

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