Livingstone College vs. Central State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC with Central State University in Wilberforce, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central State University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (2,708 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Central State University is in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; Central State University 16:1.

Livingstone College vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College or Central State University? 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 Central State University than Livingstone College ($11,398 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 43.5% lower than at Central State University ($6,794 vs. $12,026).
• Livingstone College is 127.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central State University (about $10,238 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $8,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.9% higher at Livingstone College than at Central State University (about $8,238 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $10,058.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College as at Central State University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central State University students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Livingstone College students ($18,654 vs. $15,485).

Livingstone College vs. Central State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone College or Central State 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 Central State University and Livingstone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Livingstone College (880) is 20 points higher than at Central State University (860).
• Incoming Livingstone College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Central State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960; Central State University 770/950.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; Central State University 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; Central State University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central State University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (2.8) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• Central State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 19.4% at Central State University.

Livingstone College vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone College and Central State 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).

• Livingstone College's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Central State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Central State University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,200 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($39,000 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Central State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($403 vs. $434).
• More Central State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (16% vs. 13%)

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.