
Shreveport, LAprivate nonprofitwww.centenary.edu/
Centenary College of Louisiana is a small, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college in Shreveport that punches above its weight with a surprisingly robust science pipeline (especially for pre-med students) and an intimate, residential campus culture. With a 56% acceptance rate and test-optional admissions, it attracts students who want rigorous academics without the cutthroat competition of elite liberal arts colleges—though its 55% six-year graduation rate suggests some struggle to persist.
Centenary's admissions process is moderately selective, with a 56% acceptance rate (slightly below the national average) and middle-50% test scores of SAT 1053–1185 or ACT 20–25. The college is test-optional—applicants with a 3.5+ core GPA can skip submitting scores if they include a recommendation letter. Notably, gender parity in admissions is strong: 59% of female applicants and 56% of male applicants are admitted. The regular decision deadline is July 15, unusually late for a four-year college.
Centenary offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees across traditional liberal arts disciplines, with particular strength in (a pipeline for pre-med students) and business. The most popular majors cluster in and , reflecting the college's dual identity as a liberal arts institution with professional leanings. Small class sizes are the norm, fostering close faculty-student relationships—a selling point emphasized in campus tours. The curriculum includes notable undergraduate research opportunities, especially in the sciences.
This is a highly residential campus—87% of students live in college housing, creating a tight-knit community. Student life revolves around:
The Shreveport location provides access to urban amenities (museums, medical centers for internships) while maintaining a classic quad-and-dorms collegiate feel. Diversity programming is actively promoted, though the student body skews regional.
Graduation rates tell a mixed story: the six-year rate is 55–60% (above national averages for similar institutions), but the four-year rate dips to 43–55%, suggesting many students take longer to finish. Alumni earnings are modest—$32,432 median income one year post-graduation, rising to $42,000 by six years out. The college emphasizes professional school placement (especially medicine) as a key success metric, though hard data on those pathways isn't publicly available.
With a net price of $30,050–$32,045 after aid, Centenary is expensive for the region but offers near-universal financial support—87% of students receive aid, including merit scholarships automatically considered for all applicants. Louisiana residents can stack TOPS state grants on top of institutional aid. The college promotes payment plans to ease cash flow, acknowledging the financial stretch for many families.
Centenary is a quirky hybrid: a small liberal arts college with D1 sports, a Methodist affiliation that doesn't dominate campus culture, and a science focus unusual for its size. Its Shreveport location—a midsize city not overrun with colleges—gives students access to internships and clinical opportunities rare for undergrads. The Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy and July 15 deadline make it accessible for late-deciding students. Just know the sticker price requires careful aid negotiation, and the graduation rates hint at academic support challenges.