Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Centenary College of Louisiana at a Glance
Centenary College of Louisiana is a private liberal arts college in Shreveport, Louisiana. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
1825
201 years old
$155M
$155 million
705
117 acres
Identity
Is Centenary College of Louisiana Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Centenary College of Louisiana is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,330 — 6% below average — while paying $23,624/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Centenary College of Louisiana has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Centenary College of Louisiana compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 61 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #5 | Wesleyan College | 43 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| #6 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #18 | Centenary College of Louisiana | 31 | $23,624 | $50,330 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Centenary College of Louisiana's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Centenary College of Louisiana
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Centenary College of Louisiana. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,624/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in LA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Shreveport, LA
- Student Body
- 685 students
- Admission Rate
- 56%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,624
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,330
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000