UMUC vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, MD with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Global Campus is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (63,012 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Global Campus is located in Adelphi, MD (Large Suburban setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland Global Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Global Campus 21:1; Centra College 3:1.

UMUC vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMUC 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 25.8% lower than at University of Maryland Global Campus ($12,424 vs. $16,754).
• Centra College is 59.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMUC (about $4,847 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $8,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Centra College than at University of Maryland Global Campus (about $647 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Global Campus than at Centra College (45% vs. 0%).

UMUC vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMUC 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 UMUC.

• University of Maryland Global Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMUC - Open admission; Centra College - Test-free.

UMUC vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMUC 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 University of Maryland Global Campus earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $6,958 lower median loan debt than UMUC graduates ($12,042 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMUC graduates ($124 vs. $196).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMUC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 40%)

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.