University of the District of Columbia vs. Centra College

Deciding between University of the District of Columbia and Centra College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of the District of Columbia

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC
  • Centra College Lynchburg, VA
  • Setting
  • University of the District of Columbia Large City
  • Centra College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of the District of Columbia 4,202
  • Centra College 219
  • Type
  • University of the District of Columbia Public 4 Year
  • Centra College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Centra College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Centra College -
  • Status
  • University of the District of Columbia Non-profit
  • Centra College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Centra College

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $5,662
  • Centra College $12,983
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,514
  • Centra College $12,983
  • Room & Board
  • University of the District of Columbia $17,224
  • Centra College $12,424
  • Average Net Price
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,895
  • Centra College -
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia $7,883
  • Centra College $0
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia 100%
  • Centra College 0%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of the District of Columbia Calculate
  • Centra College Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Centra College 2
  • Admitted
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Centra College 2
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • Centra College 100%
  • Enrolled
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • Centra College 0%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Centra College
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Centra College
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Centra College -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Centra College -
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of the District of Columbia Unavailable
  • Centra College Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Centra College
  • ACT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Centra College
  • SAT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Centra College
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of the District of Columbia Open admission
  • Centra College Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027
  • Centra College

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of the District of Columbia 8:1
  • Centra College 3:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of the District of Columbia
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Centra College

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • Centra College -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of the District of Columbia $37,100
  • Centra College $44,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of the District of Columbia 28%
  • Centra College 66%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of the District of Columbia $22,000
  • Centra College $12,042
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of the District of Columbia $227
  • Centra College $124

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of the District of Columbia 35%
  • Centra College 9%
  • % Women
  • University of the District of Columbia 65%
  • Centra College 91%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of the District of Columbia Medium
  • Centra College Very High
  • HBCU
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Centra College No
  • % White
  • University of the District of Columbia 4%
  • Centra College 65%
  • % Asian
  • University of the District of Columbia 1%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Black
  • University of the District of Columbia 62%
  • Centra College 35%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of the District of Columbia 10%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Native American
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of the District of Columbia 2%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % International
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of the District of Columbia 12%
  • Centra College 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 82%
  • Centra College 100%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 13%
  • Centra College 0%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Centra College No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • Centra College
  • Meal Plan
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • Centra College No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Centra College No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Centra College
  • Learn More
  • University of the District of Columbia Details
  • Centra College Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the District of Columbia is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (4,202 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • University of the District of Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the District of Columbia 8:1; Centra College 3:1.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of the District of Columbia 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 27.9% lower than at University of the District of Columbia ($12,424 vs. $17,224).
  • Centra College is 129.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the District of Columbia (about $7,321 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $5,662.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Centra College than at University of the District of Columbia (about $469 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $12,514.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the District of Columbia than at Centra College (100% vs. 0%).

University of the District of Columbia vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia.

  • University of the District of Columbia reports an open admissions policy.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of the District of Columbia - Open admission; Centra College - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of the District of Columbia 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 $7,700 more per year than University of the District of Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $9,958 lower median loan debt than University of the District of Columbia graduates ($12,042 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of the District of Columbia graduates ($124 vs. $227).
  • More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of the District of Columbia students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 28%)

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.