Centra College vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

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

Potomac State College of West Virginia University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,077 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

Centra College vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 1.2% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($12,424 vs. $12,580).
• Centra College is 145.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $7,703 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at Centra College (about $217 more per year; $13,200.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at Centra College (90% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and Centra College.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.

Centra College vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $11,959 lower median loan debt than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($12,042 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($124 vs. $248).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Potomac State College of West Virginia University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

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.