Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College of Louisiana began in 1825 with the state's first college charter, starting in rural Jackson before moving to Shreveport in 1908 for its current 65-acre campus of oak-lined walks and red-brick buildings. With Methodist heritage shaping its emphasis on character and service, the college now enrolls just 536 undergraduates in a non-sectarian environment focused on broad liberal arts preparation. Shreveport's riverfront location offers cultural venues and mild winters, though hot, humid summers dominate half the year.

You'll fit right in if you prefer close relationships with faculty and peers over anonymous crowds, excelling in a collaborative setting where professors know your goals. Ambitious yet approachable, the school's personality encourages involvement without pressure. Tradeoffs come with the small scale—fewer classmates limit social variety, and some courses run infrequently due to low enrollment, while the $39,000 tuition reflects private costs without massive endowments.