CSE vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Elizabeth University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (871 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Elizabeth University is located in Morristown, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Saint Elizabeth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Elizabeth University 8:1; Centra College 3:1.

CSE vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSE or Centra College? 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 9% lower than at Saint Elizabeth University ($12,424 vs. $13,652).
• Saint Elizabeth University is 183% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $23,758 more per year; $36,741.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183% higher at CSE than at Centra College (about $23,758 more per year; $36,741.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Elizabeth University than at Centra College (96% vs. 0%).

CSE vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSE - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than CSE (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.6% at CSE vs. 0% at Centra College.

CSE vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSE and Centra College? 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 Saint Elizabeth University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $12,958 lower median loan debt than CSE graduates ($12,042 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSE graduates ($124 vs. $258).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSE students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.