Centenary College of Louisiana vs LA Tech

Centenary College of Louisiana and Louisiana Tech University, both esteemed institutions in Louisiana, offer distinct educational experiences. Centenary, a private liberal arts college, boasts a selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 68%, while Louisiana Tech, a public research university, welcomes a broader range of students with an acceptance rate of 84%. Centenary's student body is smaller and more diverse, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 30% of students identifying as minorities. Louisiana Tech, with a larger student body, has a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a student body that is predominantly White (73%). Both institutions offer a variety of undergraduate programs, with Centenary specializing in liberal arts and Louisiana Tech excelling in engineering, business, and education. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Centenary College of Louisiana	Louisiana Tech University
Overview
Location	Shreveport, Louisiana	Ruston, Louisiana
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	68.0%	81.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation	Methodism

Admission
Acceptance rate	63.1%	65.8%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $20 Graduate: $40
SAT range	1020 - 1250	1070 - 1280
ACT range	21 - 29	22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score	21.0%	8.0%
Students submitting ACT score	56.0%	93.0%
Total number of applicants	876	7,724
Total number of admissions given out	553	5,085
Admitted students who chose to enroll	134	1,871
Yield rate	24.2%	36.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$54,100	In state: $25,182 Out of state: $31,923
Average net price	$27,386	$12,154
Tuition	$38,060	In state: $6,401 Out of state: $13,142
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,593 Meal plan: $6,580	Room/dormitory: $3,000 Meal plan: $4,800
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $28,501	96.0% Average amount $11,577
Students receiving federal student loan	65.0% Average amount $5,289	40.0% Average amount $5,221
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $17,259	2.0% Average amount $9,781

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	523 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%	10,053 Men 52.4% Women 47.6%
Graduate students	19 Men 57.9% Women 42.1%	984 Men 46.4% Women 53.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	14.1%
International students	2.4%	2.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	663	2,499
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Louisiana Texas Arkansas Mississippi Alabama

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Communication and Journalism Physical Science	Business Engineering Health Professions Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	56.7%	58.9%
Dropout rate	43.3%	13.1%
Transferred out	N/A	25.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,546 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $46,324 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,645 Year 2: $45,305 Year 3: $45,843 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,459 Year 3: N/A	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,100 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $95,978 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,065 Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $68,905 Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,634 Year 2: $44,356 Year 3: $66,953 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $62,364 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $54,877 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,660 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $50,089 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,977 Year 2: $49,214 Year 3: $49,230 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $39,996 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $42,799 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,446 Year 2: $37,748 Year 3: $41,679 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,426 Year 2: $40,446 Year 3: $41,487 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,347 Year 2: $41,689 Year 3: $41,383

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between Centenary College of Louisiana and Louisiana Tech University?

Centenary College is a small, private, liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on personalized attention and a close-knit community. Louisiana Tech is a larger, public university known for its STEM programs, particularly engineering and technology, and its research opportunities. Centenary offers a more intimate learning environment, while Louisiana Tech provides a broader range of academic programs and a more traditional university experience.
How do the academic programs compare at Centenary and Louisiana Tech?

Centenary excels in liberal arts disciplines like humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, offering a well-rounded education. Louisiana Tech is strong in STEM fields, including engineering, computer science, and biotechnology, and also offers programs in business, education, and the arts. If you're interested in a broad liberal arts education, Centenary is a good fit. If you're focused on a specific STEM career, Louisiana Tech might be a better choice.
What is the student body size and campus environment like at each school?

Centenary has a small student body, fostering a close-knit community where students can easily connect with professors and peers. The campus is located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech has a larger student body, offering a more diverse and bustling campus environment. It is located in Ruston, Louisiana. The larger size at Louisiana Tech provides more opportunities for clubs, organizations, and social events.
How do the costs of attending Centenary and Louisiana Tech compare?

Centenary, as a private college, typically has a higher tuition cost than Louisiana Tech, a public university. However, Centenary often offers generous financial aid packages, which can significantly reduce the net cost of attendance. Louisiana Tech offers more affordable tuition, especially for Louisiana residents. It's important to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at both institutions to determine which is more affordable for you.
What are the admission requirements for Centenary and Louisiana Tech?

Both Centenary and Louisiana Tech require a high school diploma or equivalent and standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), although test-optional policies may be in place. Centenary may place more emphasis on essays and letters of recommendation, reflecting its focus on holistic admissions. Louisiana Tech may place more emphasis on GPA and standardized test scores, particularly for admission to competitive programs. Check each school's website for the most up-to-date requirements.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each school?

Centenary offers a variety of clubs, organizations, and activities, including Greek life, student government, and performing arts groups. Its smaller size allows for greater student involvement. Louisiana Tech has a wider range of extracurricular activities due to its larger student body, including numerous clubs, organizations, sports teams, and a more active Greek life. Both schools offer opportunities for students to get involved and build community.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Centenary and Louisiana Tech?

Both Centenary and Louisiana Tech offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Louisiana Tech's strong industry connections, particularly in STEM fields, may provide more internship opportunities in those areas. Centenary's career services may focus on helping students explore a wider range of career paths and develop strong communication and critical thinking skills applicable to various fields.
What is the location of each college and what are the surrounding areas like?

Centenary College is located in Shreveport, Louisiana, a city with a rich cultural history and a vibrant arts scene. Louisiana Tech University is located in Ruston, Louisiana, a smaller college town that offers a more relaxed and focused environment. Shreveport offers more urban amenities, while Ruston provides a more traditional college town experience.
What are the graduation and retention rates at Centenary and Louisiana Tech?

Graduation and retention rates can vary. It's best to check the most recent data published by each institution and by reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. These rates can provide insights into student success and satisfaction at each college.
Which college is better for me: Centenary or Louisiana Tech?

The best college for you depends on your individual needs, interests, and goals. If you prefer a small, liberal arts college with a close-knit community and personalized attention, Centenary might be a good fit. If you're interested in STEM fields, prefer a larger university with a wider range of programs and research opportunities, and are comfortable in a more traditional university setting, Louisiana Tech might be a better choice. Visit both campuses, talk to current students and faculty, and carefully consider your options before making a decision.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Centenary College of Louisiana

Birmingham-Southern College