TESC vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, NJ with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Edison State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (7,544 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Edison State University is located in Trenton, NJ (Small City setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Thomas Edison State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Edison State University 20:1; Centra College 3:1.

TESC vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TESC 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 Thomas Edison State University are 58.4% lower than at Centra College ($5,170 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 89.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TESC (about $6,145 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $6,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.6% higher at Centra College than at Thomas Edison State University (about $4,127 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $8,856.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Edison State University as at Centra College (0% vs. 0%).

TESC vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TESC 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 TESC.

• Thomas Edison State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TESC - Open admission; Centra College - Test-free.

TESC vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TESC 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 Thomas Edison State University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,800 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Edison State University graduates have a $1,292 lower median loan debt than Centra College graduates ($10,750 vs. $12,042).
• Among borrowers, TESC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centra College graduates ($111 vs. $124).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TESC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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.