Centre College combines exceptional academic credentials with well above average mobility outcomes at the 84.7th percentile. Graduates earn $15,828 more than peer institutions while maintaining manageable debt-to-earnings ratios, supporting sustainable career advancement across diverse liberal arts disciplines.
With well above average results, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher net costs and debt levels relative to peer institutions
With modestly below average results, indicating more limited enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students compared to national averages
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's ability to support economic advancement for graduates from diverse backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisCentre College produces graduates earning $66,240 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 82nd percentile nationally with well above average earnings performance. Graduates earn $15,828 more annually than the peer median of $50,412, demonstrating strong value relative to similar institutions.
Earnings range from $45,965 at the 25th percentile to $98,933 at the 75th percentile, reflecting career diversity across liberal arts disciplines. However, Centre College's earnings performance is around the national average when adjusted for student characteristics, with graduates earning $1,380 less than predicted based on their academic and demographic profiles.
Students seeking a small, liberal arts education with strong academic credentials who value personalized attention and well above average mobility outcomes. Best suited for academically accomplished students (top 2% test scores) who want selective admission standards combined with manageable debt levels.
Centre College admits 54.3% of applicants, meaning approximately 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Centre College in the Moderately Selective category, making it more accessible than highly selective liberal arts colleges while maintaining meaningful admission standards.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% indicates that Centre College is more selective than typical institutions in its category, accepting 21.2 percentage points fewer applicants than peer averages. This level of selectivity means that academically prepared students with strong credentials have reasonable admission prospects, though the institution does maintain standards for academic preparation.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Centre College's published cost of attendance reaches $63,354 per year, including $50,550 in tuition, $13,770 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $21,497 representing $41,857 in average financial aid savings.
This net price falls slightly above the peer median of $21,812, indicating costs that are $315 higher than similar institutions. Centre College's financial aid substantially reduces the sticker price burden, making the education accessible at approximately one-third of the published cost.
The gap between sticker price and net cost demonstrates the institution's commitment to making liberal arts education financially feasible through substantial aid packages. Net prices vary considerably by family income, ranging from $10,779 for the lowest-income families to $28,164 for the highest-income bracket, reflecting progressive aid targeting.
Students should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as the published cost significantly overstates actual family payments for most students.
Applied Economics.
74 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
25 graduates
Catalan Language and Literature.
27 graduates
Sociology and Anthropology.
18 graduates
American History (United States).
16 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bellarmine University Higher acceptance rate (39.2 percentage points higher) and located 64 miles away; similar graduate earnings | KY | 94% | $62,069 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Centre College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/centre-college/analysis.
Top quartile earnings with selective liberal arts focus
Centre College ranks #468 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with composite performance at the 71st percentile. Located in Danville, Kentucky, this small private nonprofit college maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 54.3% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Centre College enrolls 21.2% Pell-eligible students and 20.3% first-generation students, reflecting a student body from diverse economic backgrounds. Graduates achieve median earnings of $66,240 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 82nd percentile nationally and earning $15,828 more than peer institutions.
With exceptional SAT scores among the highest we track and well above average mobility performance at the 84.7th percentile, Centre College demonstrates the ability to combine academic selectivity with strong economic advancement for graduates. The institution maintains manageable debt levels at $27,000 median, supporting sustainable post-graduation financial outcomes.
Students should expect meaningful competition for admission spots, particularly given the college's strong outcomes and reputation. For prospective students, this selectivity level suggests the importance of presenting a complete academic profile while recognizing that admission remains accessible for well-prepared candidates.
Building a balanced college list that includes institutions with varying admission rates represents sound application strategy, allowing students to maximize their options across different selectivity levels while pursuing institutions that match their academic preparation and career goals.
Centre College graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth from early to mid-career periods. Median earnings rise from $50,073 six years after enrollment to $59,224 at eight years and $66,240 at ten years, representing 32.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 237 to 285 graduates across the three time periods, providing reliable confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn around the national average when adjusted for student characteristics, performing $1,380 below expectations at the 49.9th percentile for earnings beyond expectations.
The earnings distribution spans from $45,965 at the 25th percentile to $98,933 at the 75th percentile, indicating varied career paths across Centre College's liberal arts programs. Approximately 22% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for advanced education.
Compared to peer institutions, Centre College graduates earn $15,828 more annually, demonstrating competitive outcomes within its institutional category despite moderate performance on value-added measures.
Centre College offers 6 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Applied Economics ranks #120 nationally and #1 in Kentucky, graduating 74 students with median earnings of $67,177 and a program value score of 41.1, representing the largest program by enrollment.
Catalan Language and Literature achieves remarkable national recognition, ranking #1 nationally and #1 in Kentucky with graduates earning $65,445 and a perfect value score of 100.0. American Government and Politics ranks #62 nationally and #1 in Kentucky, producing 25 graduates with median earnings of $65,598 and a value score of 79.3.
Psychology, General ranks #145 nationally and #1 in Kentucky, graduating 22 students with earnings of $48,226. International/Globalization Studies ranks #37 nationally and #2 in Kentucky, with 30 graduates earning $35,367.
All tracked programs serve as flagship offerings at Centre College, indicating strong institutional focus across these academic areas.
Thomas More University Higher acceptance rate (42.7 percentage points higher) and located 96 miles away; similar graduate earnings | KY | 97% | $59,384 | Compare |
University Of Kentucky Higher acceptance rate (38 percentage points higher) and located 31 miles away; similar graduate earnings | KY | 92% | $59,025 | Compare |
Washington College Higher acceptance rate (11.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MD | 66% | $65,518 | Compare |
University Of Utah Higher acceptance rate (32.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | UT | 87% | $67,170 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albizu University-San Juan Similar quality tier (#464 ranked) | PR | 100% | $41,544 | #464 | Compare |
King University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#467 ranked) | TN | 54% | $59,831 | #467 | Compare |
Xavier University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#457 ranked) | LA | 74% | $52,184 | #457 | Compare |
Linfield University Similar quality tier (#455 ranked) | OR | 88% | $78,638 | #455 | Compare |
Colby College Similar quality tier (#477 ranked) | ME | 7% | $80,490 | #477 | Compare |
