Centra College vs. West Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

West Liberty University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (2,299 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); West Liberty University is in West Liberty, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Liberty University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; West Liberty University 12:1.

Centra College vs. West Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or West Liberty 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 2.4% lower than at West Liberty University ($12,424 vs. $12,728).
• Centra College is 46% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Liberty University (about $4,090 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $8,893.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at West Liberty University than at Centra College (about $4,459 more per year; $17,442.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Liberty University than at Centra College (87% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. West Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or West Liberty 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 West Liberty University and Centra College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Liberty University 890/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Liberty University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; West Liberty University - Test optional.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than West Liberty University (97.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 31.5% at West Liberty University.

Centra College vs. West Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and West Liberty 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 $6,900 more per year than West Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $12,575 lower median loan debt than West Liberty University graduates ($12,042 vs. $24,617).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Liberty University graduates ($124 vs. $254).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 49%)

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.