Centra College vs. NSU

Centra College and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Centra College
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NSU (87.8% admitted vs 100%). Typical SAT 930 vs N/A.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Centra College $44,800 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

Centra College Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
NSU more selective
Centra College100%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
Centra College-
NSU823-1030
Average net price
Centra College-
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $2,803 less
Centra College$12,983
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
Centra College $8,699 less
Centra College$12,983
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
NSU +33 pts
Centra College-
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
Centra College +$8,100
Centra College$44,800
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Centra College 2
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Centra College 2
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Centra College 100%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Centra College 0%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Centra College
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Centra College
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Centra College -
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Centra College -
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Centra College Unavailable
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Centra College
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • Centra College
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • Centra College
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Centra College Test-free
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Centra College
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Centra College $12,983
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Centra College $12,983
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • Centra College $12,424
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • Centra College -
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • Centra College $0
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Centra College 0%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • Centra College -
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Centra College $44,800
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Centra College 66%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Centra College $12,042
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Centra College $124
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Centra College 3:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Centra College
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Centra College Lynchburg, VA
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Centra College Small City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Centra College 219
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Centra College Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Centra College
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare Centra College in Lynchburg, VA with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Norfolk State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 219 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 6.7% lower than at Centra College ($11,591 vs. $12,424).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 67% higher at NSU than at Centra College (about $8,699 more per year; $21,682 vs. $12,983).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norfolk State University than at Centra College (75% vs. 0%).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Centra College, test optional at NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $18,958 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($12,042 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $196 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($124 vs. $320).
  • More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 27%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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