Centre College vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Centre College in Danville, KY with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Centre College based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centre College is located in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centre College 10:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Centre College vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centre College or Vanderbilt? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Centre College than Vanderbilt ($23,860 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centre College are 33.6% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($14,640 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 27.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centre College (about $14,678 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at Vanderbilt than at Centre College (about $14,678 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centre College than at Vanderbilt University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Centre College students ($64,404 vs. $44,015).

Centre College vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centre College or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt and Centre College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 230 points higher than at Centre College (1310).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Centre College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 1160/1450; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 25/32; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centre College - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centre College Jan 15, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Centre College (3.62).
• Centre College has a higher acceptance rate (54.4%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Centre College vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Centre College vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centre College and Vanderbilt? 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).

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Centre College's (82%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $30,600 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Centre College graduates ($14,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($144 vs. $279).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centre College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.