Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Danville, Kentucky
54.3% Acceptance Rate
Centre College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
54.3%Acceptance Rate
3.62Avg GPA
1345Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$63,354Annual Cost
$66,240Grad Salary
21.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
54.3%
Avg GPA
3.62
Avg SAT
1345
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1230–1423
ACT Middle 50%
26–32
Need-Based Aid
21.2% receive Pell
Centre College, founded in 1819 in Danville, Kentucky, is a top-ranked liberal arts college known for its study abroad programs and science research opportunities.
The 152-acre campus includes the Norton Center for the Arts, the state-of-the-art Adams Hall for sciences, and a 100% residential learning community where all students live on campus.
Centre College Acceptance Rate
Centre College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 54.3% each year.
What Centre College of Kentucky Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 54.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.17
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Centre College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Centre College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Centre College of Kentucky GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Centre College of Kentucky is 3.62. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.32 and 3.62? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.82–4.02.Centre College of Kentucky GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.22 – 3.41
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.21
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional via an explicit opt-in/opt-out choice in the Common App supplement or Coalition application - not a passive default.
- The "Centre Commitment" guarantees an internship, study abroad, and four-year graduation (or a free extra year of tuition if unmet); roughly 85% of students study abroad, some multiple times.
- Recommendation letters are accepted only from core academic teachers who taught the student in sophomore, junior, or senior year.
- Danville, KY; Presbyterian Church (USA) affiliation; 98% of students live on campus; partnership with the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Centre College of Kentucky
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Centre College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Centre College (Centre College of Kentucky) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Centre College of Kentucky. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Centre College of Kentucky Without SAT or ACT?
Centre College of Kentucky considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Centre College Average SAT Score: 1345
Admitted students at Centre College average a 1345 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1345 — Competitive
A 1345 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1423 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Centre College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1230? A retake is worth it at Centre College of Kentucky. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 680 | 620 | 740 |
| SAT Reading | 647 | 610 | 683 |
| SAT Composite | 1345 | 1230 | 1423 |
A score under 1230 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1423+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into Centre College (Centre College of Kentucky) with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in Centre College of Kentucky's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Centre College (Centre College of Kentucky) ACT Requirements
Centre College of Kentucky's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 24 | 30 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 32 |
Can I get into Centre College with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of Centre College of Kentucky's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Centre College of Kentucky weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Centre College of Kentucky
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Centre College of Kentucky is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Choose "Yes" or "No" deliberately on the test-score review question - it's a real decision, not a formality
Centre's supplement asks explicitly whether you want your test scores considered ("Yes" allows them to help or be ignored; "No" removes them from review entirely). A student with strong scores should select "Yes" and confirm receipt in the portal; a student with weaker scores should genuinely select "No" rather than assuming test-optional policies elsewhere apply the same way here.
Name a specific CentreTerm destination in your application materials
Centre guarantees every student a study-abroad opportunity as part of the "Centre Commitment" (internship, study abroad, and four-year graduation, or a free extra year of tuition if the college can't deliver), with three-week CentreTerm courses each January to places like Bhutan, Brazil, or South Korea. Naming a specific CentreTerm program of interest in your application shows genuine engagement with what makes Centre distinct, not a generic "I love travel" line.
Request recommendations only from teachers who taught you in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade core courses
Centre specifically accepts teacher recommendations only from core academic course teachers who taught the student in sophomore, junior, or senior year - a freshman-year teacher or an elective instructor won't satisfy this as effectively. Confirm the recommender's grade-level and subject match before requesting the letter.
Mention the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program if applicable
Centre has a longstanding partnership with the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) and actively welcomes its alumni to campus. A Kentucky student who completed GSP should reference that explicitly in outreach to admissions, since it's a recognized and valued credential specifically at this school.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes treat "test-optional" as identical across every school on their list and forget Centre's opt-in mechanism requires an active choice in the application portal - leaving it blank or assuming a default can result in scores being reviewed (or ignored) against the student's actual intent.
Centre College of Kentucky Profile
Full Name
Centre College (Centre College of Kentucky)
City
Danville
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
40422-1394
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Centre College of Kentucky Degree Worth It?
At $63,354/year against a $66,240 median graduate salary, Centre College of Kentucky is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $64,100, and graduates see a 2.66% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Centre College of Kentucky Cost?
Listed tuition runs $63,354/year at Centre College of Kentucky. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Centre College of Kentucky, 21.2% receive a Pell Grant and 44.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Centre College of Kentucky on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Centre College of Kentucky Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Centre College of Kentucky graduates report a median income of $66,240, about 63% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Centre College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Centre College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Centre College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Centre College of Kentucky
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Centre College of Kentucky Admissions
Centre College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $66,240/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Centre College runs high, at roughly $63,354+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
21.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Centre College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Centre College's acceptance rate is 54.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Centre College students is 3.62, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.32 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Centre College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.22 or below makes admission tougher at Centre College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Centre College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1345, and within the 1230–1423 range, keeps you competitive.
Centre College's deadline is November 15 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 1.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority). That's Centre College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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