Central College vs. AIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with American International College in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American International College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,037 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); American International College is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. American International College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; American International College 16:1.

Central College vs. AIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or AIC? 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 American International College than Central College ($23,086 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 28% lower than at American International College ($12,060 vs. $16,750).
• American International College is 110.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $23,242 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.7% higher at AIC than at Central College (about $23,242 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at American International College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American International College students is 159.8% larger than aid received by Central College students ($36,184 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. AIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or AIC? 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 AIC and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 60 points higher than at AIC (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; American International College 940/1110.
• 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; AIC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: AIC Sep 7, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at AIC (2.91).
• AIC has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 11.2% at AIC.

Central College vs. AIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and AIC? 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 American International College's (36%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than AIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American International College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, American International College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 49%)

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.