Centra College vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Centra College vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or WVSU? 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 8.1% lower than at West Virginia State University ($12,424 vs. $13,522).
• Centra College is 35.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $3,413 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at WVSU than at Centra College (about $2,007 more per year; $14,990.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia State University than at Centra College (88% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than WVSU (96%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Centra College vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and WVSU? 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 $12,100 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $11,208 lower median loan debt than WVSU graduates ($12,042 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($124 vs. $240).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 35%)

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.