Centra College vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Centra College in Lynchburg, VA with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Centra College vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or Shepherd University? 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 3.8% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,424 vs. $12,916).
• Centra College is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $3,927 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at Shepherd University than at Centra College (about $6,099 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Centra College (96% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University and Centra College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Shepherd University (96.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Centra College vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and Shepherd University? 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 $3,300 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $10,181 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($12,042 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($124 vs. $229).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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.