Centra College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Centra College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or VSU? 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 7% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,424 vs. $13,355).
• Centra College is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $2,940 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at VSU than at Centra College (about $9,667 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Centra College (92% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Centra College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and VSU? 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 VSU 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 $17,458 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($12,042 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($124 vs. $305).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 28%)

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.