Centra College: 40.0% Acceptance Rate

40.0%Acceptance

$12,263Tuition

212Students

100%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$60,122Earnings

#4 in VirginiaPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindData: 2023-24

About Centra College

Centra College trains the next generation of healthcare professionals in Virginia's medical corridor. The school enrolls just 212 students who focus intensively on healthcare education and medical training programs. This specialized institution operates in Lynchburg's small city environment, where students get hands-on experience in clinical settings. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where professors know every student personally. Nearly 97% of graduates find employment immediately after completing their programs.

Students here pay an average net price of $24,868 annually, which represents solid value given the career outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $60,122 ten years after leaving school, making their typical monthly loan payment of $162 quite manageable. With median debt of just $15,250, most students avoid the crushing loan burdens common at other institutions. The 71.94% loan repayment rate reflects graduates' ability to service their educational debt successfully.

This school attracts students serious about healthcare careers rather than traditional college experiences. Women make up 88.68% of the student body, reflecting healthcare's gender demographics. Every single enrolled student comes from Virginia, creating a tight-knit community of in-state residents. The 100% retention and graduation rates suggest students rarely transfer or drop out once they commit to Centra's focused healthcare mission.

Academics & Faculty

Centra College operates as a specialized healthcare education institution focused entirely on training medical professionals. The school maintains a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring intensive mentorship in clinical and technical programs. Students benefit from small cohort learning with just 212 total enrollment, allowing for hands-on training essential in healthcare fields. The college achieves a remarkable 100% six-year graduation rate, reflecting the structured nature of its professional programs and strong student support systems. With a 100% retention rate, students clearly find the focused curriculum meets their career preparation needs. The school's specialized approach means students dive directly into healthcare coursework rather than general education requirements typical at traditional colleges.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Full-Time Faculty: 48.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 100.0%
Retention Rate: 100.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $60,122
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Career)

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Campus Life

Centra College draws students exclusively from Virginia to its small Lynchburg campus, where healthcare training takes center stage. With just 212 students total, the 6:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every name in their medical training programs. Women make up 89% of the student body, reflecting the college's focus on nursing and allied health fields that traditionally attract female students.

Lynchburg sits in central Virginia's rolling hills, about two hours from Richmond and three from Washington DC. Students need winter coats for January lows in the 20s and 30s, though snow rarely sticks around long. The humid summers require air conditioning more than sunscreen. With 100% of students coming from in-state, many commute from nearby areas rather than living on campus. The intense healthcare curriculum keeps students busy with clinical rotations and lab work. Weekend study groups are common as students prepare for licensing exams. The 97% employment rate shows the focused training pays off, with graduates earning a median of $60,122 within ten years of completing their programs.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 24°–46°F
July Avg: 64°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 43.6"
Annual Snowfall: 12.4"

Student Demographics

Centra College draws entirely from Virginia, reflecting its strong ties to the state's healthcare workforce needs. Women make up nearly 90% of students, a natural fit for a school specializing in healthcare training where fields like nursing and allied health traditionally attract more female students. The student body is predominantly white at 67%, with meaningful Black representation at 13%. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class Virginians seeking stable healthcare careers. This small, focused institution attracts students committed to hands-on medical training rather than broad liberal arts education.

Men: 11.3%
Women: 88.7%
White: 67.0%
Black: 13.2%
Hispanic: 2.4%
Asian: 1.4%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 43.7%

Location

Centra College sits in Lynchburg, Virginia, a small city of about 80,000 residents roughly 180 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The campus draws 100% of its 212 students from within Virginia. Lynchburg anchors the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering outdoor recreation alongside urban amenities. The city hosts several higher education institutions, creating a college-friendly environment for students. Liberty University's massive presence shapes much of the local culture and economy. The James River runs through downtown, providing scenic waterfront areas and recreational opportunities. Historic districts showcase antebellum architecture and Civil War history. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Centra College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Lynchburg, Virginia 24501

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $60,122
Median Earnings (5 years): $56,188
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $41,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 71.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $162/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $15,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Centra College?

Centra College accepts 40% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a specialized healthcare institution. The small enrollment of just 212 students allows the college to maintain high standards while focusing intensively on medical professional training programs.

How much does Centra College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $24,868 annually, with tuition set at $12,263 regardless of residency status. Nearly 44% of students receive financial aid, and graduates typically carry a manageable median debt of $15,250 upon completion.

What is the student-faculty ratio like at Centra College?

The college maintains an exceptionally low 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention crucial for healthcare education. This intensive mentoring approach contributes to the school's perfect 100% retention and graduation rates.

What are the employment outcomes for Centra College graduates?

Graduates achieve a 97.1% employment rate with median earnings of $60,122 ten years after graduation. The college's focus on healthcare professional training translates into strong career prospects in Virginia's medical sector.

Where do Centra College students come from?

All students are Virginia residents, reflecting the college's role as a regional healthcare education provider in small-city Lynchburg. The student body is 89% female and 67% white, typical demographics for nursing and allied health programs.

Does Centra College have a strong graduation rate?

The college boasts a perfect 100% six-year graduation rate, an exceptionally rare achievement in higher education. This success stems from the institution's focused healthcare curriculum and intensive support system for its small cohorts of medical professionals in training.