How much does Centre College cost?

The average net price at Centre College is $20,781 per year after financial aid. Over 4 years, that's approximately $83,124 total. Average student debt at graduation: $27,000.

What do Centre College graduates earn?

Graduates of Centre College earn a median salary of $66,240 ten years after enrollment. That's 23% above the national average.

What is the Centre College acceptance rate?

Centre College accepts approximately 54.4% of applicants.

Does Centre College require SAT or ACT?

Centre College is test-optional — applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores but they are not required. Apply with the Common App Test Scores are Optional Centre has adopted a test-optional admission policy.

Centre College

Danville, KY

privateWebsite

Value

Median Earnings (10yr)

$66,240

+23% vs average

Net Price / Year

$20,781

+2% vs average

Graduation Rate

83%

Payback Period

1.3 years

Median Debt

$27,000

Student Body

1,400

Centre College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)

Source: U.S. Dept of Education (College Scorecard)CollegeValueRanked

Admission Rate

54%

Centre College at a Glance

Centre College, formally Centre College of Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky, United States. Chartered by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1819, the college is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South and the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities. It has an enrollment of about 1,400 students.

Founded

1819

207 years old

Endowment

$414M

$414.3 million (2025)

Undergraduates

1,356

Campus

152 acres

Identity

Motto: Doctrina Lux Mentis ( Latin )Mascot: ColonelsColors: Gold & whiteAffiliation: Presbyterian Church (USA)President: Milton C. Moreland

Sources:Wikipedia www.centre.edu facts

How to Apply to Centre College

Official admissions page

Test-optionalCommon App member

Early deadline

November 1 (Early Decision I)

Testing policy

Apply with the Common App Test Scores are Optional Centre has adopted a test-optional admission policy.

Requirements can change between admissions cycles. Always verify current requirements on the official admissions page before applying.

Is Centre College Worth It?

Centre College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $20,781/year, it's priced 2% above average, while graduates go on to earn $66,240 — 23% above the national average.

The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.

The 83% graduation rate means roughly 17% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.

How Centre College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally

Ranked #2 of 44 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	Wofford College	76	$18,732	$68,964
#2	Centre College	66	$20,781	$66,240
#3	DePauw University	61	$22,264	$70,527
#4	Fresno Pacific University	57	$13,630	$58,896
#5	Gustavus Adolphus College	55	$22,900	$65,607
#6	Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science	54	$19,622	$66,111

Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Centre College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).

Best Programs at Centre College

The highest-earning program at Centre College is Economics at $45,200/year (4 years after graduation).

Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Centre College earns $45,200, while a Economics graduate earns $45,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.

Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Economics.

Return on Investment

Estimated 4-Year Cost

$83,124

Based on $20,781/yr net price × 4 years

Earnings Premium

+23%

vs. national average of $53,787/yr

Payback Period

1.3 years

Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings

10-Year Net Gain

$579,276

Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance

Programs & Earnings by Major

Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):

Major	Earnings (4yr)	Earnings (1yr)	Median Debt
Economics	$45,200	$45,200	$27,000

Similar Colleges in KY

Berea College

$43,150 earnings · $6,106/yr net price

100

Northern Kentucky University

$50,220 earnings · $8,191/yr net price

Murray State University

$44,737 earnings · $9,096/yr net price

Brescia University

$45,500 earnings · $8,709/yr net price

University of Kentucky

$59,025 earnings · $18,851/yr net price

View all colleges in KY →

Quick Facts

Institution Type: private
Location: Danville, KY
Student Body: 1,400 students
Admission Rate: 54%
Graduation Rate: 83%
Net Price (Annual): $20,781
Median Earnings (10yr): $66,240
Median Student Debt: $27,000

Explore More

Earnings & cost trends →All colleges in KY →Compare colleges →Our methodology →Best public colleges →

Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings are measured 10 years after enrollment. Net price reflects average cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal financial aid. Value scores are calculated using our methodology.