Longwood University vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Longwood University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (4,612 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Longwood University is located in Farmville, VA (Remote Town setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Longwood University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Longwood University 15:1; Centra College 3:1.

Longwood University vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Longwood 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 Centra College are 28.7% lower than at Longwood University ($12,424 vs. $17,424).
• Longwood University is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $2,761 more per year; $15,744.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.5% higher at Longwood University than at Centra College (about $14,995 more per year; $27,978.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Longwood University than at Centra College (97% vs. 0%).

Longwood University vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Longwood 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 Longwood University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Longwood University 1030/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Longwood University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Longwood University - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Longwood University (90.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Longwood University vs. 0% at Centra College.

Longwood University vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Longwood 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 $1,600 more per year than Longwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $12,958 lower median loan debt than Longwood University graduates ($12,042 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Longwood University graduates ($124 vs. $258).
• More Longwood University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centra College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 66%)

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.