The Catholic University of America vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

The Catholic University of America is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Centra College 3:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America 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 31.7% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($12,424 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 349.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $45,395 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 349.6% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Centra College (about $45,395 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Centra College (99% vs. 0%).

The Catholic University of America vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than The Catholic University of America (82.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 0% at Centra College.

The Catholic University of America vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $14,064 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($12,042 vs. $26,106).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($124 vs. $269).
• More The Catholic University of America 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.