Centra College vs. Concord University

Comparable Facts

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

Concord University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,943 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Centra College vs. Concord University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or Concord 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 Centra College are 1% lower than at Concord University ($12,424 vs. $12,546).
• Centra College is 21.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Concord University (about $2,319 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $10,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.5% higher at Concord University than at Centra College (about $9,017 more per year; $22,000.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concord University than at Centra College (97% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. Concord University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or Concord 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 Concord University and Centra College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsConcord University 830/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsConcord University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; Concord University - Test optional.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Concord University (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 18.2% at Concord University.

Centra College vs. Concord University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and Concord 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 $11,700 more per year than Concord University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $33,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $7,458 lower median loan debt than Concord University graduates ($12,042 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concord University graduates ($124 vs. $201).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concord University 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.