Centra College vs. West Virginia University Tech

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University Institute of Technology is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,278 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); West Virginia University Institute of Technology is in Beckley, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centra College 3:1; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 13:1.

Centra College vs. West Virginia University Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centra College or West Virginia University Tech? 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 4.3% lower than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($12,424 vs. $12,986).
• Centra College is 54.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University Tech (about $4,559 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at West Virginia University Tech than at Centra College (about $8,089 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University Institute of Technology than at Centra College (98% vs. 0%).

Centra College vs. West Virginia University Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centra College or West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Tech and Centra College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University Institute of Technology 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University Institute of Technology 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centra College - Test-free; West Virginia University Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Virginia University Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than West Virginia University Tech (36.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 0% at Centra College vs. 52.3% at West Virginia University Tech.

Centra College vs. West Virginia University Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centra College and West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Institute of Technology 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 West Virginia University Tech graduates ($12,042 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Virginia University Tech graduates ($124 vs. $248).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University Tech 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.