JCSU vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson C Smith University 12:1; Centra College 3:1.

JCSU vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCSU 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 Johnson C Smith University are 30.8% lower than at Centra College ($8,600 vs. $12,424).
• Johnson C Smith University is 64.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $8,317 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at JCSU than at Centra College (about $8,317 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Centra College (93% vs. 0%).

JCSU vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCSU 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 JCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCSU - Test-free; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at JCSU vs. 0% at Centra College.

JCSU vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCSU 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 $14,500 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $20,008 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($12,042 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $207 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($124 vs. $331).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 26%)

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.