About Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College attracts students who thrive in intimate academic settings and appreciate strong performing arts traditions. This Methodist liberal arts college enrolls just 615 students in Shreveport, giving it the feel of a close-knit community where professors know every student's name. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention that large universities simply cannot match. Music and theater programs draw talent from across the region, with performance opportunities that would be competitive at much larger schools.
Students typically pay around $25,159 after financial aid, less than the $40,000 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $50,330 ten years after graduation, which helps justify the $27,000 in typical debt. The 93.8% employment rate suggests most graduates find work relatively quickly. Monthly loan payments average $286, manageable given the earning potential.
Three-quarters of students return for sophomore year, though only 59% graduate within six years. The campus houses 667 students, creating a residential college atmosphere. Nearly 45% of students participate in the 16 varsity sports programs, competing at the NCAA Division III level. The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference provides regional rivalries that energize campus life throughout the academic year.
Students typically pay around $25,159 after financial aid, less than the $40,000 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $50,330 ten years after graduation, which helps justify the $27,000 in typical debt. The 93.8% employment rate suggests most graduates find work relatively quickly. Monthly loan payments average $286, manageable given the earning potential.
Three-quarters of students return for sophomore year, though only 59% graduate within six years. The campus houses 667 students, creating a residential college atmosphere. Nearly 45% of students participate in the 16 varsity sports programs, competing at the NCAA Division III level. The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference provides regional rivalries that energize campus life throughout the academic year.
Academics & Faculty
Centenary College operates as a small Methodist liberal arts college where students explore broad academic disciplines rather than narrow specializations. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name and can provide intensive mentoring throughout their academic journey. The college has built a particularly strong reputation for its music and theater programs, drawing aspiring performers from across the region. With a 59.6% four-year graduation rate, students receive the personal attention needed to complete their degrees, though the intimate environment requires self-motivation. The liberal arts curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills across multiple disciplines rather than technical training.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 43.4%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 59.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 59.3%
- Retention Rate
- 75.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $50,330
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Education, Other. | Master | $45,305 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,459 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $32,925 |
Campus Life
This small Methodist campus houses 615 students in the heart of Shreveport, Louisiana's second-largest city. With housing capacity for 667 students, nearly everyone lives on campus, creating a tight-knit residential community. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic struggles personally.
Shreveport's humid subtropical climate requires more sunscreen than winter coats, though you'll want a light jacket for occasional cold snaps. The city offers internships, restaurants, and entertainment venues just minutes from campus. Students often head to the nearby Red River or explore Shreveport's casinos and music scene on weekends. With 275 student-athletes competing across 16 NCAA Division III sports, games draw solid crowds from the small student body. The college's strong music and theater programs regularly stage performances that become major campus social events. Greek life and residence hall activities fill most weekend calendars when students aren't studying or attending athletic events.
Shreveport's humid subtropical climate requires more sunscreen than winter coats, though you'll want a light jacket for occasional cold snaps. The city offers internships, restaurants, and entertainment venues just minutes from campus. Students often head to the nearby Red River or explore Shreveport's casinos and music scene on weekends. With 275 student-athletes competing across 16 NCAA Division III sports, games draw solid crowds from the small student body. The college's strong music and theater programs regularly stage performances that become major campus social events. Greek life and residence hall activities fill most weekend calendars when students aren't studying or attending athletic events.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Housing Capacity
- 667 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1825
Campus Safety (2023)
30 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fondling | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 38°–58°F
- July Avg
- 76°–94°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 48.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.1"
Student Demographics
Centenary draws students who value close relationships with professors, with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio creating an intimate academic environment. The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, reflecting the college's balanced liberal arts offerings in both traditional academics and creative fields. About two-thirds come from Louisiana, showing strong regional appeal in the Methodist community. Nearly 40% receive Pell Grants, demonstrating the college's commitment to making private education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds seeking a faith-centered liberal arts experience.
- Men
- 50.2%
- Women
- 49.8%
- White
- 57.1%
- Black
- 22.4%
- Hispanic
- 10.2%
- Asian
- 2.8%
- In-State Students
- 62.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 38.9%
Location
Centenary College sits in Shreveport, Louisiana, a city of about 190,000 people in the northwest corner of the state. The campus lies roughly 40 miles from the Texas border and 20 miles south of Arkansas. Shreveport anchors the broader Ark-La-Tex region, where three states converge along the Red River. The city blends Southern culture with oil industry history and riverboat gaming. Students find themselves in an urban setting with cultural venues like the Strand Theatre and R.W. Norton Art Gallery nearby. The surrounding area offers outdoor recreation at Cross Lake and nearby state parks. Students considering colleges in Louisiana may also compare Centenary College of Louisiana with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Shreveport, Louisiana 71104
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $50,330
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $47,575
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $32,900
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 71.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Centenary College of Louisiana?
Centenary accepts 63.65% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1170. The Methodist college maintains selective standards while remaining accessible to students seeking a small liberal arts environment.
How much does Centenary College of Louisiana cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $25,159 despite the $40,000 sticker price. Nearly 39% of students receive federal Pell Grants, helping make this private Methodist college affordable for middle-income families.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Centenary College of Louisiana?
Classes maintain a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio with only 615 total students enrolled. This intimate setting allows the liberal arts college to emphasize personalized attention in its well-known music and theater programs.
What are the graduation and employment rates at Centenary College of Louisiana?
About 59% of students graduate within six years, and 93.8% find employment after graduation. Graduates earn a median salary of $50,330 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the value of the college's liberal arts education.
Where do students live at Centenary College of Louisiana?
The campus houses 667 students in residence halls, accommodating most of the 615-student body. The close-knit community in midsize Shreveport fosters the intimate Methodist college atmosphere that defines student life.
Does Centenary College of Louisiana offer athletic scholarships?
The college awards $0 in athletic scholarships as a Division III institution with 16 varsity sports. Instead, 275 student-athletes compete for the love of the game while focusing on academics at this Methodist liberal arts college.
