Ferrum College vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Ferrum College is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (763 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferrum College is located in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferrum College 11:1; Centra College 3:1.

Ferrum College vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferrum College 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 6.1% lower than at Ferrum College ($12,424 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 119.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $15,537 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.7% higher at Ferrum College than at Centra College (about $15,537 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Centra College (98% vs. 0%).

Ferrum College vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferrum College 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 Ferrum College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ferrum College - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Ferrum College (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Ferrum College vs. 0% at Centra College.

Ferrum College vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ferrum College 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 Centra College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $15,958 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($12,042 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($124 vs. $289).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 49%)

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.