Central State University vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central State University in Wilberforce, OH with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (2,708 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central State University is located in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Central State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central State University 16:1; Centra College 3:1.

Central State University vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central State University or Centra College? 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 Central State University are 3.2% lower than at Centra College ($12,026 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 61.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central State University (about $4,925 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $8,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at Centra College than at Central State University (about $2,925 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $10,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central State University than at Centra College (99% vs. 0%).

Central State University vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central State University 770/950.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central State University 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central State University - Test-free; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Central State University (98.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Central State University vs. 0% at Centra College.

Central State University vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central State University and Centra College? 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 $17,600 more per year than Central State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $26,958 lower median loan debt than Central State University graduates ($12,042 vs. $39,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $279 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central State University graduates ($124 vs. $403).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 16%)

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.