Admit rate has ranged 54%–76% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Centre College is a small, tight-knit liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky, where nearly every student lives on campus and 84% study abroad—a testament to its immersive, globally engaged approach. With an 85% four-year graduation rate and a median alumni salary of $50,073 six years out, Centre punches above its weight in outcomes for a school with a 55-76% acceptance rate. Its quirks include a near-universal residential culture (98% on-campus) and a curriculum that blends traditional majors like history and chemistry with interdisciplinary programs like environmental studies.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,400
In-state tuition
$52,820
Out-of-state tuition
$52,820
Location
Danville, KY
Acceptance Rate
55-76%
4-Year Grad Rate
85%
On-Campus Housing
98%
Study Abroad Rate
84%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
$50,073
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$66,240
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.2×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
81%
First-year retention
88%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
80%
Pell (lower-income) share
35%
First-generation share
20%
Endowment / student
$287,646
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Economics$48,432
Political Science and Government$41,193
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$33,809
Sociology and Anthropology$29,685
History$25,194
English Language and Literature, General$23,649
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
32°F
Annual rain
51.6"
Annual snow
9.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
78
Scholarly works
1,314
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Centre College?
Centre College's acceptance rate is approximately 54% (Danville, KY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Centre College?
Admitted students at Centre College typically score 1160–1450 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Centre College cost?
At Centre College, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,781 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Centre College?
Centre College enrolls approximately 1,400 undergraduate students.
Where is Centre College located?
Centre College is located in Danville, KY.
Admissions
Centre College is somewhat selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 55.5% to 76.43% depending on the year and source. For the Class of 2028, Centre welcomed 396 first-year students, one of its largest incoming classes ever. Mid-50% SAT scores fall between 1150–1380, and ACT scores hover around 25–31. The college is test-optional, emphasizing Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. for applicants. Transfer credits from high school dual-enrollment programs are accepted, though specifics are evaluated case-by-case.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Biology, General
$22,771
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Centre offers 40+ majors and minors, with standout programs in history (6% of graduates), international/globalization studies (5%), and chemistry (4%). The curriculum emphasizes a liberal arts core, requiring courses across disciplines to foster ‘lives of meaningful work and sustained curiosity.’ Small classes are the norm, thanks to a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. Unusually, 84% of students study abroad, often through Centre’s own programs in locations like London and Strasbourg. The college also integrates internships or research for 97% of students, blending theory with hands-on experience.
Life at Centre revolves around its residential community: 98% of students live on campus, and the college boasts a 99% on-campus housing rate (including affiliated options). The vibe is collaborative and intimate, with traditions like ‘Running the Flame’ (a pre-graduation sprint through campus) and a strong Greek life presence (though not dominant). Student reviews highlight the walkable campus and ease of forming friendships, though some note Danville’s small-town setting limits off-campus excitement. Health and safety resources include a 24/7 on-call system (‘Call HELP’ ext. 4357).
Centre delivers strong ROI for a regional liberal arts college: 85% graduate in four years (well above the national average), and 87% finish within six years. Alumni median earnings reach $50,073 by six years post-graduation, climbing to $66,240 at the 10-year mark. Early-career salaries average $36,427 one year out. The high graduation rate reflects Centre’s support systems, including its ‘Centre Promise’ guaranteeing internships, study abroad, and a degree in four years (or extra tuition-free semesters).
Centre’s sticker price is steep, but 60.6% of students receive financial aid, reducing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $21,341–$23,780/year. Merit scholarships (awarded for academic achievement) and need-based grants are both available, with the average aid package totaling $44,777. The college’s net price calculator helps families estimate costs, though it’s worth noting that 76% of graduates borrow loans, reflecting the challenges of financing even a subsidized liberal arts education.
Centre’s hyper-residential model (98% on-campus) creates a 24/7 learning community rare even among small liberal arts colleges. Its 84% study-abroad rate—triple the national average—reflects a commitment to global engagement, often through Centre-run programs. The ‘Centre Promise’ (guaranteeing internships, study abroad, and four-year graduation) bundles experiential learning into the core curriculum, while outcomes like an 85% four-year graduation rate validate its support systems. For students seeking a close-knit, globally infused liberal arts experience—and who thrive in a rural Kentucky setting—Centre delivers outsized returns.
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