Centra College vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

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

Bluefield State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,141 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

Centra College vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or Bluefield State University? 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 Bluefield State University are 7.3% lower than at Centra College ($11,512 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $2,335 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Bluefield State University than at Centra College (about $5,393 more per year; $18,376.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield State University than at Centra College (97% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or Bluefield State University? 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 Bluefield State University and Centra College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Bluefield State University (97.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

Centra College vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and Bluefield State University? 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 $13,000 more per year than Bluefield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $6,958 lower median loan debt than Bluefield State University graduates ($12,042 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bluefield State University graduates ($124 vs. $196).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 30%)

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.