Eastern vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Centra College 3:1.

Eastern vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University are 1.3% lower than at Centra College ($12,268 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 25.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $2,663 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at Eastern than at Centra College (about $8,247 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at Centra College (98% vs. 0%).

Eastern vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 0% at Centra College.

Eastern vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern 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 $6,900 more per year than Eastern 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 $11,653 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($12,042 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($124 vs. $245).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern 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.