Centra College vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare Centra College in Lynchburg, VA with Johnson & Wales University Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,184 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Johnson & Wales University Charlotte 14:1.

Centra College vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centra College are 16.1% lower than at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte ($12,424 vs. $14,800).
• Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is 226.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $29,436 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226.7% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte than at Centra College (about $29,436 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte than at Centra College (100% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte and Centra College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJohnson & Wales University Charlotte 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJohnson & Wales University Charlotte 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte - Test optional.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 13.7% at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte.

Centra College vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Centra College earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $14,858 lower median loan debt than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates ($12,042 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $154 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates ($124 vs. $278).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.