Central College vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Aquinas College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

Central College vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or AQ? 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 Aquinas College than Central College ($18,018 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 3.2% lower than at Central College ($11,680 vs. $12,060).
• Aquinas College is 91.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $19,230 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.6% higher at AQ than at Central College (about $19,230 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Aquinas College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 140.8% larger than aid received by Central College students ($33,535 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. AQ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 60 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming Central College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at AQ (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have the same average high school GPA (3.52) as students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 11.8% at AQ.

Central College vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and AQ? 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 Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)

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.