AU vs. Centra College

Should I go to Anderson University or Centra College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or Centra College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Clemson North Greenville University Lander University Winthrop University Furman CSU Liberty University Lee University University of South Carolina-Upstate Erskine College Campbell University SWU
Anderson University vs. Centra College comparison
Anderson University Centra College College 3 College 4
Anderson University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 AU Centra College
Location Anderson, SC Lynchburg, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 4,121 227
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website andersonuniversity.edu centrahealth.com
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AU Centra College
Tuition (In State) $30,860 $9,240
Tuition (Out of State) $30,860 $9,240
Room & Board $11,230 $9,406
Avg Net Price $21,633 $28,418
Avg Grant Aid $24,409 $6,495
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 AU Centra College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,043 15
Admitted 2,289 6
Acceptance Rate 45.4% 40%
Enrolled % 34.9% 50%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

 AU Centra College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (37%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 AU Centra College
Graduation Rate 48% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,500 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,862 $12,042
Median Loan Payment $277 $124

Diversity

 AU Centra College
% Men 35% 13%
% Women 65% 87%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 65%
% Black 8% 35%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 AU Centra College
% In-State 68% 100%
% Out-of-State 31% 0%

Campus

 AU Centra College
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Anderson University is larger than than Centra College based on total student enrollment (4,121 students vs. 227 students)

AU vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Centra College?

  • Anderson University is 234% more expensive to attend than Centra College for in-state tuition ($30,860.00 vs. $9,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 234% higher at AU than Centra College ($30,860.00 vs. $9,240.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Anderson University than Centra College ($21,633 vs. $28,418)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centra College are 19.4% lower than costs at Anderson University ($9,406 vs. $11,230)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University as Centra College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 275.8% larger than aid received Centra College ($24,409 vs. $6,495)

AU vs. Centra College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Centra College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Centra College or AU .

  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (45.4%) than Centra College (40%)

AU vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or Centra College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Centra College and AU.

  • Graduates from Centra College earn on average $7,300 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $37,500)
  • Centra College students graduate with a $14,820 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($12,042 vs. $26,862)
  • Centra College graduates are paying $153 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($124 vs. $277)
  • More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/