Skip to main content
62.9%Acceptance
$50,550Tuition
1,346Students
85%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$66,240Earnings
#3 in KentuckyPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Centre College

Centre College builds future leaders through intensive mentoring in a small Kentucky town. The 1,346 students work closely with professors in a 10:1 student-faculty ratio that makes large lecture halls impossible. This liberal arts powerhouse has produced notable graduates like Senator John Sherman Cooper and Governor William Goebel. The college sits in Danville, creating a tight-knit academic community where everyone knows your name.

Students pay an average net price of $21,497 after financial aid, making this top education surprisingly affordable. Graduates earn a median of $66,240 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $27,000. The monthly loan payment of $286 represents a manageable burden given earning potential. The 80.44% loan repayment rate suggests graduates can handle their financial obligations.

Centre demands academic commitment with an 86.02% four-year graduation rate that outpaces most colleges. The Colonels compete in 21 Division III sports with 641 total athletes, meaning nearly half the campus plays varsity athletics. The Four-One-Four calendar system includes an intensive January term for focused study or internships. With a 95.7% employment rate, Centre delivers on its promise to launch successful careers.

Academics & Faculty

Centre College delivers the intimate academic experience that defines top-tier liberal arts education. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name and research interests, not just ID numbers. This close mentorship shows in the results: 86% of students graduate in four years, well above the national average. The college has built a strong reputation for pre-professional preparation, particularly in pre-med and pre-law tracks where personal attention makes the difference in competitive graduate school admissions. Centre's signature academic calendar follows a Four-One-Four system, allowing students to pursue intensive January term experiences like internships or study abroad programs that complement their liberal arts foundation.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Full-Time Faculty
90.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
86.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
85.3%
Retention Rate
87.5%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$66,240
Carnegie Classification
Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Economics. Bachelor $48,432
Political Science and Government. Bachelor $41,193
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. Bachelor $33,809
Sociology and Anthropology. Bachelor $29,685
History. Bachelor $25,194
English Language and Literature, General. Bachelor $23,649
Biology, General. Bachelor $22,771

View all 26 programs →

Campus Life

Centre's 1,346 students live in a close-knit bubble where nearly everyone knows your name by sophomore year. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors invite classes to their homes for dinner and remember your research interests years later. Danville sits in Kentucky's rolling Bluegrass region, about 90 minutes from Louisville and Lexington. You'll need both winter coats and shorts here as Kentucky swings from humid summers to chilly winters with occasional snow.

With housing capacity at 1,360, almost all students live on campus in a mix of traditional dorms and College-owned houses. The Four-One-Four calendar system creates an intense January term where students dive into unusual courses or internships. Weekends revolve around Colonels athletics, with 641 student-athletes competing across 21 Division III sports. Students gather at the Warehouse, the campus coffee shop, or head to nearby Herrington Lake for outdoor activities. The town-distant setting means campus life is central, but students often venture to Lexington for bigger city experiences.
Setting
Town-Distant
Housing Capacity
1,360 beds
Calendar System
Four-One-Four
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1819

Campus Safety (2023)

14 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Rape 4 4 0 0
Burglary 1 1 0 0
Dating Violence 1 1 0 0
Stalking 1 1 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
24°–41°F
July Avg
66°–85°F
Annual Precipitation
46.4"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Student Demographics

Centre draws students who value close mentorship, with 60.8% coming from Kentucky and the rest attracted by the college's national reputation for personalized attention. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio appeals to ambitious pre-professional students seeking strong relationships with professors. Women make up 52% of the 1,346 students, reflecting the college's strength in liberal arts alongside its respected pre-med and pre-law programs. With 21% receiving Pell Grants, Centre balances its top academic reputation with accessibility for middle-class families seeking a strong small-college experience.
Men
47.9%
Women
52.1%
White
73.6%
Black
5.3%
Hispanic
7.9%
Asian
4.4%
In-State Students
60.8%
Pell Grant Recipients
21.2%

Location

Centre College sits in Danville, Kentucky, about 35 miles southwest of Lexington and 85 miles south of Louisville. The campus occupies 115 acres in this historic town of roughly 17,000 people in the heart of the Bluegrass region. Danville served as Kentucky's first capital and maintains its small-town charm with antebellum architecture and tree-lined streets. The college dominates the town's identity, creating a classic college town atmosphere where students frequently interact with locals. Rolling hills and horse farms surround the area, providing the quintessential Kentucky landscape. With 60.80% of students coming from in-state, many are drawn to this intimate setting. Students considering colleges in Kentucky may also compare Centre College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Danville, Kentucky 40422-1394
Breckinridge Hall exterior, Centre College, May
Breckinridge Hall exterior, Centre College, May
5th Street
5th Street
College Centre archway
College Centre archway

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$66,240
Median Earnings (5 years)
$60,552
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$38,500
Loan Repayment Rate
80.4%
Monthly Loan Payment
$286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Centre College acceptance rate and admissions requirements

Centre College accepts 62.85% of applicants, making it moderately selective among liberal arts colleges. Students typically need strong academics with an average SAT of 1333 or ACT of 30 to be competitive at this Kentucky institution known for close mentoring relationships.

Centre College tuition cost and financial aid

Centre College charges $50,550 in tuition but the average net price drops to $21,497 after aid. The school provides substantial institutional grants averaging $37,116 to 28% of students, making this strong liberal arts education more affordable than the sticker price suggests.

Centre College student faculty ratio and class sizes

Centre College maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,346 total students. This intimate academic environment allows the college to deliver on its reputation for personalized attention and strong mentoring in pre-professional programs like pre-med and pre-law.

Centre College graduation rate and job outcomes

Centre College boasts an impressive 86% four-year graduation rate, well above the national average. Graduates earn a median salary of $66,240 ten years after graduation, with 95.7% finding employment, reflecting the school's strong alumni network and career preparation.

Centre College campus life and housing Danville Kentucky

Centre College's compact campus in Danville houses nearly all of its 1,346 students in residence halls with capacity for 1,360. The small-town setting creates a tight-knit community where 641 students compete in 21 NCAA Division III varsity sports as the Colonels.

Centre College Four-One-Four calendar system

Centre College operates on a unique Four-One-Four calendar with two four-month semesters separated by a one-month January term. This 4-1-4 system allows students to pursue intensive study abroad programs, internships, or specialized courses during the flexible January period.