Centra College vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Centra College in Lynchburg, VA with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (4,575 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

Centra College vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or Penn 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 3.1% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Technology ($12,424 vs. $12,818).
• Pennsylvania College of Technology is 40.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $5,257 more per year; $18,240.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.1% higher at Penn College than at Centra College (about $12,997 more per year; $25,980.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Technology than at Centra College (68% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

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

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; Penn College - Open admission.

Centra College vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and Penn 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 Centra College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Penn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $9,458 lower median loan debt than Penn College graduates ($12,042 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn College graduates ($124 vs. $222).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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.