Central College vs. Alverno College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alverno College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,317 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Alverno College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alverno College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Alverno College 13:1.

Central College vs. Alverno College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Alverno College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Alverno College ($23,848 vs. $24,425).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alverno College are 11.4% lower than at Central College ($10,688 vs. $12,060).
• Alverno College is 62.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $13,098 more per year; $34,086.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at Alverno College than at Central College (about $13,098 more per year; $34,086.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Alverno College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alverno College students is 94.5% larger than aid received by Central College students ($27,086 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Alverno College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Alverno College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Alverno College and Central College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Alverno College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Alverno College (3.27).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Alverno College (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 16.6% at Alverno College.

Central College vs. Alverno College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Alverno College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Alverno College's (40%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Alverno College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central College graduates have a $4,693 lower median loan debt than Alverno College graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,693).
• Among borrowers, Central College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alverno College graduates ($279 vs. $327).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alverno College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.