South Carolina State University vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Carolina State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (3,242 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Carolina State University is located in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South Carolina State University 19:1; Centra College 3:1.

South Carolina State University vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University are 27.6% lower than at Centra College ($9,000 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $1,923 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.5% higher at South Carolina State University than at Centra College (about $8,767 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Carolina State University than at Centra College (95% vs. 0%).

South Carolina State University vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Carolina State University - Test-free; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than South Carolina State University (82.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at South Carolina State University vs. 0% at Centra College.

South Carolina State University vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Carolina 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 $13,800 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $21,163 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($12,042 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $219 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($124 vs. $343).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 27%)

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.