C+
Above Average
Score: 61/100
Overall (traditional)
A
Outcome Rating
86/100 · earnings-weighted

Centra College

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Lynchburg, Virginia 24501
ℹ️
Rating Context: This institution has fewer than 500 students. Smaller schools may show more rating variability due to limited data points.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (A+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 100%
Outcomes
A+
100/100
Affordability
D
38/100
Resources
C+
56/100
Experience
C+
63/100
Prestige
D
37/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

212
Total Enrollment
100%
Graduation Rate
100%
Retention Rate
6.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
100%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Centra College, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$60,122
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$60,052
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$15,250
Median debt at graduation
100%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
46.7%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 25% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 76th percentile among similar colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (VA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Centra College

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$80,832$91,634+3%#294 of 966#690$12,767

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Centra College Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $196,051
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,224/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 24504 (5.2% cap, Lynchburg)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $8,640 $8,640

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
67%
Receive Pell Grants
67%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

212
Total Students
89%
Women
50%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 67%
Hispanic 2%
Black 13%
Asian 1%
Two or More 7%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 94%
Fully Online 6%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 50%
25-64 (Adult) 50%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Centra College?
Centra College has an acceptance rate of 100%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Centra College?
Tuition at Centra College is $8,640 for in-state students and $8,640 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Centra College?
The graduation rate at Centra College is 100%. This is considered an excellent graduation rate, indicating strong student success and support systems.
Is Centra College a good school?
Centra College has a Repit College Score of 61/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (C+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Centra College?
Centra College has a total enrollment of 212 students.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Centra College — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Centra College

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

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C+
Patrick Henry College
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C
Sweet Briar College
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Randolph College
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C
Virginia University of Lynchburg
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Union Presbyterian Seminary
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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology