Centra College vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Norfolk State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Centra College vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University are 6.7% lower than at Centra College ($11,591 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 27.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,803 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67% higher at NSU than at Centra College (about $8,699 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norfolk State University than at Centra College (75% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or NSU? 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 NSU and Centra College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Centra College vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and NSU? 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 $8,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $18,958 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($12,042 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $196 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($124 vs. $320).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 27%)

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.