Centra College vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Union University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,646 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

Centra College vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University are 11.3% lower than at Centra College ($11,016 vs. $12,424).
• Virginia Union University is 34.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $4,467 more per year; $17,450.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.4% higher at Virginia Union University than at Centra College (about $4,467 more per year; $17,450.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Union University than at Centra College (88% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Union University 850/885.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Virginia Union University (98%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

Centra College vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and Virginia Union 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 $11,500 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $21,708 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($12,042 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $224 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($124 vs. $348).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 19%)

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.