Centre College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Danville, Kentucky · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2022-2023
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Centre College is a private nonprofit university in Danville, Kentucky that admits about 62% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $20,781 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Psychology, General and Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 87% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Centre College is a private institution located in Danville, Kentucky with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Centre College admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 62%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1352 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $20,781 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Centre College?
52% of enrolled students at Centre College had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.8, according to its 2022-2023 Common Data Set.
What does Centre College weight in admissions?
Centre College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2022-2023). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Class rank
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Character/personal qualities
SAT and ACT scores Centre College typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–730, with an EBRW midpoint near 650. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1352 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting SAT | 11% |
| 25th percentile | 25 |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 51% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 44% |
| Top 25% of class | 75% |
| Top 50% of class | 96% |
| % submitting class rank | 36% |
How much does Centre College actually cost?
Published tuition is $52,820 for in-state students and $52,820 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,640 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $20,781 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 23% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $48,070 |
| Room and board | $12,300 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $20,781 |
| Application fee | $0 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Centre College
| Regular deadline | 1/15 |
| Notification date | 31-Mar |
| Reply deadline | May 15 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 15 |
| ED acceptance rate | 73% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | December 1 |
Will my child graduate from Centre College?
These predict outcomes at Centre College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Centre College
The most popular undergraduate programs at Centre College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Psychology, General and Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. Across all programs, Centre College confers roughly 209 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $84,284 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 53 | $84,284 |
| Psychology, General | 26 | $48,226 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 23 | — |
| Biology, General | 23 | $52,319 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 23 | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 22 | — |
| Political Science and Government | 20 | $70,170 |
| History | 19 | $50,858 |
Is Centre College safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Centre College disclosed 12 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Centre College?
About 97% of undergraduates at Centre College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for Centre College
Common questions parents ask about Centre College
What GPA do I need for Centre College?
52% of enrolled students at Centre College had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.8, according to its 2022-2023 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Centre College typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–730, with an EBRW midpoint near 650. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–32.
How much does Centre College actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Centre College after grants and scholarships is $20,781 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $52,820. Budget against the net figure.
Is Centre College realistic for my child?
Centre College admits 62% of applicants, so 570–730 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $20,781 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Centre College?
Centre College accepts about 62% of applicants out of roughly 2,746 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Centre College test-optional?
Yes. Centre College is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Centre College?
About 87% of students at Centre College graduate within six years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Centre College?
Centre College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 73%, compared with its overall rate of 62%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Centre College look for in applicants?
Centre College rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Centre College a public or private school, and where is it located?
Centre College is a private nonprofit institution located in Danville, Kentucky.
What are the most popular majors at Centre College?
The largest undergraduate majors at Centre College by annual graduates are Economics, Psychology, General and Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. The school awards about 209 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Centre College safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Centre College reported 12 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Centre College?
At Centre College, 97% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2022-2023 Common Data Set submitted by Centre College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers