Warren Wilson vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Warren Wilson College is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (791 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Centra College 3:1.

Warren Wilson vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 4.8% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($12,424 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 219.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $28,517 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 219.6% higher at Warren Wilson than at Centra College (about $28,517 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Centra College (100% vs. 0%).

Warren Wilson vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 0% at Centra College.

Warren Wilson vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson 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 $14,000 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $10,958 lower median loan debt than Warren Wilson graduates ($12,042 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($124 vs. $237).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centra College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 66%)

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.