AU vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Averett University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,476 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Averett University is located in Danville, VA (Small City setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Averett University 16:1; Centra College 3:1.

AU vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU 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 14.5% lower than at Averett University ($12,424 vs. $14,530).
• Averett University is 196.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $25,567 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.9% higher at AU than at Centra College (about $25,567 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Averett University than at Centra College (99% vs. 0%).

AU vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU 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 AU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Averett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Averett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at AU vs. 0% at Centra College.

AU vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU 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 Averett University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $12,958 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($12,042 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($124 vs. $258).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

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.